Philosophy 347/ Critical Thinking, Reasoning/ Argumentative paper

PART1 (WEEK1)

Introduction

Over the eight weeks of the course,  you will work on a paper that addresses a current controversial issue.  This paper is to be in the form of an argument. You will select a topic,  choose an issue related to that topic, thoroughly research both sides  of the issue, and then write a paper that supports one side or the other  of the issue. Your paper must define the issue, present evidence on  both sides of the issue, and then argue that one side is stronger and  more persuasive than the other. Your paper must address at least three  relevant aspects of the issue. More specific directions for each part of  the paper will be found within the specific assignment in the weekly  modules.

Here is a brief breakdown of the project so that you can plan your time in the course:

Instructions

Topic: Artificial intelligence

• State the topic (Artificial Intelligence)


• State the specific issue you will explore. 
  
  
  
  • This must be stated either as a question ("Should prostitution be  legalized?") or a whether-or-not statement ("Whether prostitution should  be legalized").
  
  
  
  


• For the stated issue, state three (3) aspects of the issue that you  think you will likely develop in your paper. Briefly state why you have  chosen each aspect. 
  
  
  
  • You are not confined to three aspects only, but you must develop at least three. As you develop your paper, you may find other aspects that you deem more relevant, and may add or substitute those. 
    
    
    
    • Example: For the topic of prostitution, you might  examine the aspect of personal autonomy, public health aspects, and law  enforcement aspects, at a minimum.
    
    
    • Example: For the topic of free healthcare for  undocumented persons, you might address economic aspects, ethical  aspects, and public health aspects, at a minimum. 
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

PART 2 (WEEK3)

Introduction

This week you continue to work on  your paper that addresses a current controversial issue. This paper is  to be in the form of an argument. You have selected a topic and chosen  issues related to that topic; this week, you will thoroughly research  both sides of the issues you have chosen. Keep in mind that your paper  must define the issue, present evidence on both sides of the issue, and  then argue that one side is stronger and more persuasive than the other.  Your paper must address at least three relevant aspects of the issue.  More specific directions for each part of the paper will be found within  the specific assignment in the weekly modules; the assignment this week  is to research both the pro and con sides of the issues you have chosen  to address.

Here is a brief breakdown of the project so that you can plan your time in the course:

Week 1

Topic Selection

Week 3

Issue Review (both sides)

 Week 5

Thesis & Annotated Bibliography (both sides)

Week 7

Argumentative Paper

Instructions

This week, you will conduct an issue  review for your selected topic for your project. Present a brief report  of your research on both sides of the issue. This should include the  following:

• Citation of your sources


• Links to the sources where available


• Brief description of the content of each of the sources (50 to 80 words for each source)

Your research review should address at least three (3) aspects of the issue that is the subject of your paper and must present at least one pro and one con article review on each aspect. Sources should be scholarly or of very high substantive quality.

Click on the following link to view an example. The first aspect is  written out completely, with APA citation and brief description of  content. The next two aspects should be completely written out by you in  your report, including correct APA citation and brief description of  content. 

Link: Example Issue Review  

Because the topics vary widely, the nature of your research will also  vary. If you are writing about gene therapy, for example, you will have  to support your points with scholarly medical opinion. You may need to  review researching techniques. Visit the research links provided in the Required Resources section in this activity for more information.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

• Length: 1-2 pages (not including title page)


• 1-inch margins


• Double spaced


• 12-point Times New Roman font


• Title page


• References page

PART3 (WEEK5)

Introduction

You have arrived at the third part  of the Course Project. By this week, you should have collected the  sources that you need to support, with relevant evidence, the position  you have taken on the issue you chose, and the three aspects of the  issue you will write about. This week you will submit a thesis statement  and an annotated bibliography of at least five sources that you will  use in your paper.

Here is a brief breakdown of the project so that you can plan your time in the course:

Week 1

Topic Selection

Week 3

Issue Review (both sides) 

Week 5

Thesis & Annotated Bibliography (both sides)

Week 7

Argumentative Paper

Instructions

This week, submit the following:

• A thesis statement stating your opinion/conclusion on the issue, the  supporting points you will offer and at least one relevant opposing  view you will address.


• An annotated bibliography with evaluation of at least five (5)  sources you intend to use in your final paper to support your claim. 
  
  
  
  • These are sources that provide evidence to support that your claim should be accepted by the reader.
  
  
  • Scholarly sources are preferred and should be used where available;  due to the nature of some of the topics, authoritative articles in very  high quality substantive journals may also be acceptable.
  
  
  
  

Use the Source Evaluation Worksheet to determine the following:

• If your source is current 
  
  
  
  • If it is not current, explain why you think it is acceptable.
  
  
  
  


• If your source is credible, reliable, and authoritative 


• How well your source supports your thesis 
  
  
  
  • If the annotation does not make this obvious, explain to your instructor how you will use it.
  
  
  
  


• If your support is popular 
  
  
  
  • If it is, explain to your instructor why you think it is acceptable.
  
  
  
  

Prepare a citation, annotation, and evaluation for each source.

Click on the following link for an example:

Link: How to Complete the Source Evaluation Worksheet  

Writing Requirements (APA format)

• Length: 100-150 words per source for Part 1; 50-80 words per source for Part 2 (not including title page or references page)


• 1-inch margins


• Double spaced


• 12-point Times New Roman font


• Title page


• References page

PART4 ( WEEK7)

Introduction

This week, all the hard work you  have done in researching your topic and issue will come to fruition in  your argumentative paper. Once you feel you have got the final draft,  try to put the paper aside, even for a few hours, and then read it  again.

• Did you address at least three aspects of the issue you chose?


• Does each aspect have relevant and authoritative evidence in support of your point?


• Have you included a view that is in opposition to your viewpoint,  and have you answered that opposing view, pointing out its flaws in such  a way as to refute it?

Edit your paper – look for wordiness, repetition, vagueness,  ambiguities. Check the organization of the paper as a whole; make sure  each paragraph maintains focus. After you are satisfied that the content  of your paper is good, carefully proofread it and correct mechanical  errors.

Here is a brief breakdown of the project so that you can plan your time in the course:

Week 1

Topic Selection

Week 3

Issue Review (both sides)

Week 5

Thesis & Annotated Bibliography (both sides)

Week 7

Argumentative Paper

Instructions

This week, you will complete your  argumentative paper. Following the directions in assigned textbook  reading on how write an argumentative essay on the issue you chose in  Week 1. Be sure your essay contains the following:

• An opening paragraph that states a clear thesis that is focused,  plausible, and arguable and that gives direction and purpose to the  paper


• A fair-minded, balanced, and objective development of the pros and  cons of the issue in a well-organized sequence of ideas, free of  mechanical errors


• Credible, reliable, and authoritative evidence in support of the points made


• A strong conclusion that summarizes your views, reminds the audience  of the issue and its importance, and shows in brief that you have  successfully defended your thesis

Note   

As you do your research, it is permissible to change your sources.  Also, because of the recency and relevance of these issues, no sources  older than 5 years should be used other than as historical information.  Critical thinkers do the research first and then side with the  preponderance of evidence. You might want to follow that principle.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

• Length: 4-6 pages (not including title page or references page)


• 1-inch margins


• Double spaced


• 12-point Times New Roman font


• Title page


• References page