Short Response Paper 1

In no less than six typed double spaced pages with 1 inch margins and Times New Roman 12 point font (around 1500 words) answer one of the questions listed below. Please avoid long quotes or paraphrases as I am looking not just for your demonstration that you know the material but also (and more importantly) for your own opinion on the subject. Please clearly indicate on your paper which question you are answering. Submit your response to TurnItIn on Blackboard. Papers will be graded on grammar and style, length, the ability to correctly summarize the arguments in the works discussed, and the ability to synthesize a personal argument based on the works discussed. Outside sources other than the materials read for class are not allowed.

Taxonomy: (How he will grade my papers)

Summarize (35%)

• Can you correctly identify the main arguments of the author?
• Can you put them in your own words?
• Is anything factually incorrect?

Analyze (25%)

• Break down the different parts of the argument
• Be able to identify the logic the author uses
• Identify the premises in which the author’s argument rests

Synthesis (10%)

• Compare multiple authors arguments
• Be critical of the internal logic the author uses.
• Offer additional insights or critiques
• Use your own arguments to either support or oppose the author

Other (30%)

• Grammer 10%
• Paper Length 10%
• Other 10%

Parts of a Written Argument (A page or two)

1. Claim- What do I think?
2. Reason- Why do I think it?
3. Evidence- How do I know?
4. Counterclaim- What would the other side say?
5. Rebuttal- My response to the other side

Fallacies- Things to avoid

• Ad hominem- Insult
• Straw man- Building a fake argument to tear it own easier
• Slippery slope- Dont assume
• Hasty Generalization- All people are like this
• False Dilemma- This or that… but those aren’t the only two options
• Causal fallacy

I attached the Notes we took in class for question 2 and the first chapter of the book. You will be doing question #2.