ESOL 120 Critical Thinking: Analyzing Biofilters - Structure, Claims

This assignment critically analyzes an article about biofilters, focusing on its organizational structure, claims, and evidence, in the context of ESOL 120. The analysis identifies the main purpose of the article as highlighting biofilters as a natural ventilation option that reduces energy costs and environmental impact. The assignment examines various structural elements, including contrast, chronological order, spatial arrangement, cause-effect relationships, problem-solution approaches, and topical patterns, evaluating their effectiveness in conveying information. It suggests incorporating design elements like illustrations and comparison charts to enhance clarity and impact. Furthermore, the assignment employs the STAR model (Sufficiency, Typicality, Accuracy, Relevance) to evaluate the evidence presented in the article, considering the support from experts, representativeness of the issues, accuracy of the information, and relevance to the central claim. The reference is also cited in the assignment.

Running Head: EDUCATION 1
Biofilters by Barbara Crass
Author's Name
Institutional Affiliation

EDUCATION 2
ESOL 120 – Critical Thinking Assignment 2
Patterns of Organization, Structure, and Claims/Evidence
1. Identify the main purpose/central idea of the whole article and write it in one clear
sentence.
The central idea of the whole article is to draw attention to biofilters as natural ventilation
option and how they can lower the concerns regarding the cost and environmental impact
of energy use ( Crass, 2003).
2. Identify the purpose.
The purpose is to explain biofilters, their design and how they work to
keep the indoor air clean and the biofiltration system is beneficial both economically and
environmentally.
3. Analyze the entire article and identify all structural elements (patterns of
organization). Mention the paragraph number, your evaluation of the effectiveness,
and your explanation. See the first one as an example.
/6
Pattern of
organization
Paragraph(s) Evaluation Explanation – Why or why not?
Contrast 2 Somewhat
effective
The functioning and cost of outdoor
intakes are not provided. So, we don’t
know how much better biofilters are.
Chronological 6 and 8 Somewhat
effective
The oldest existing example of biofilters is
listed in the Canada Life building form the
nineties. However, recent funding for
TRCA project is listed but with no clear
date or year.
Spatial 10, 14 and 17 Somewhat
effective
TCA’s office space utilization is given in
terms of project costs and duct work and
how the biofilters would be connected to

EDUCATION 3
the living wall of the lobby. The location
and size of the living wall would be the
focal point.
Cause-Effect 5, Effective How ducts can capture merging air and
channelize it. Effect is a cleaner air zone.
Problem-
Solution
1 Effective Indoor pollution and poor quality of
indoor air. Solution is flushing out the
Volatile Organic compounds with the
outdoor air intake.
Topical
Pattern
2, 9, 13 Somewhat
effective
The designing and costs of biofilters is
explained but a little haphazardly.
4. Are there any design elements that you think the author could have used? Explain
which ones and for which part of text.
The author could have used a simplified illustration of biofilters and the technology behind to
explain how they work. She could have used images for VOC emissions sources, and biofilters.
A comparison chart could have been inserted to show the increased emissions over the years and
another chart to compare the cost effectiveness of biofilters.
5. Use the STAR model to analyze/evaluate briefly the entire article in terms of
evidence.
Sufficiency: The author supports the claim with the statement from the developer and researcher
of biofilter technology, Alan Darlington and TRCA sustainability specialist, Lisa King.
Typicality: The support supporting material is representative and typical as the issues of
pollution, and poor indoor quality of air is a growing issue across the world.
Accuracy: The content is somewhat up to date as it was published in 2003. It is accurate because
of the detailed report on the costs and dimensions of the project.
Relevance: The content of the article is relevant to the claim as it lays particular emphasis on
green space, biodiversity, healthy rivers, and sustainable communities through biofilter

EDUCATION 4
technology. The project anticipates improved air quality, energy savings, and efficient economic
payback.

EDUCATION 5
References
Craas, Barbara. (2003). Fresh Air in Designing Packages: Biofilters an Aesthetically pleasing
energy efficient technolgy. Canadian Property Management, 1(1), 1–3.