Final Project: Comprehensive Argument Analysis
The Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center database at the University Library provides a wealth of arguments to which you can apply your critical thinking skills. Find this database by logging into to the Library and selecting the Article Databases¡XSpecialized link. From the results page, scroll down to select the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center link.
„h Resources: Appendix A, Appendix E, and the University Library
„h Due Date: Day 7 [Individual forum]
„h Choose two topics from the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center that interest you and locate a set of materials from the database for each topic. If you choose school violence as one of your topics, for example, you might find a magazine article that argues that violence in the media causes school violence and a Web site that persuasively argues that violence in the media is not responsible for school violence.
„h Conduct a similar search for your second topic. When finished, you should have two sources per topic. Note: You may use sources from any combination of the Viewpoints, Magazines, Academic Journals, News (use sources marked Editorial and Column), and Web sites database sections.
„h Use the form in Appendix E to critically analyze your four sources. Fill out one form for each source.
CRT 205 Critical Thinking
Course Syllabus Page 22
o Provide the title of the source.
o Provide the source citation. Locate the citation by clicking on the Source Citation link at the top of the page when viewing the source.
o Identify the principal issue presented by the source.
o Identify any examples of bias presented by the author. If none exist, explain how you determined this.
o Identify any areas that are vague or ambiguous. If none exist, explain how you determined this.
o Do you find the source credible? Explain your reasoning.
o Identify and name any rhetorical devices used by the author. If none exist, explain how you determined this.
o Identify and name any fallacies used by the author. If none exist, explain how you determined this.
o State one argument made by the author.
o Identify the premises and conclusion of the argument.
o Is the author¡¦s argument valid or invalid, sound or unsound, strong or weak? Explain how you determined this.
o Does the author use moral reasoning? If not, explain how you determined this.
So what do you want us to answer? Is there a question about this assignment, it looks pretty clear to me.
show me the comprehensive argument analysis?
American Patriotism is Alive and Well
To complete your final project on comprehensive argument analysis, you will need to follow these steps:
1. Access the University Library: Log into the Library and select the Article Databases - Specialized link.
2. Find the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center: Scroll down on the results page and select the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center link.
3. Choose two topics that interest you: From the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center, select two topics. For example, you could choose "school violence" and "climate change."
4. Locate sources from the database for each chosen topic: Search for materials related to each topic. For example, you could find a magazine article that argues that violence in the media causes school violence and a website that argues against this claim. Repeat this process for the second topic as well.
5. Analyze each source: Use the form provided in Appendix E to analyze each of the four sources. Fill out one form for each source following the instructions below:
- Provide the title and source citation: Include the title of the source and locate the citation by clicking on the "Source Citation" link when viewing the source.
- Identify the principal issue: Determine the main issue or topic presented by the source.
- Identify any bias: Determine if the author demonstrates any bias in their writing. If no bias exists, explain how you determined this.
- Identify vagueness or ambiguity: Determine if any parts of the source are unclear or vague. If none exist, explain how you determined this.
- Assess credibility: Share your reasoning behind whether you find the source credible or not.
- Identify rhetorical devices: Determine if the author uses any rhetorical devices in their writing. If none exist, explain how you determined this.
- Identify fallacies: Determine if the author uses any fallacies in their argument. If none exist, explain how you determined this.
- State one argument made by the author: Summarize one argument made by the author in the source.
- Identify premises and conclusion: Determine the premises (supporting reasons) and conclusion of the argument.
- Evaluate the argument: Determine if the author's argument is valid or invalid, sound or unsound, strong or weak. Explain how you determined this.
- Assess moral reasoning: Determine if the author uses moral reasoning in their argument. If not, explain how you determined this.
Remember to fill out one form for each source, analyzing all four sources according to the given criteria. When complete, you will have critically analyzed your chosen sources for your final project.