Assignment 1.2: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay – Part II

Synthesizing and Writing

Due Week 4 and worth 100 points



When looking for information about a particular issue, how often do you try to resist confirmation bias by seeking out sources that might contradict your own point of view? This assignment asks you to engage in this aspect of critical thinking. 



The assignment is divided into two (2) parts. 



In Part I of the assignment (due Week 2), you read a book excerpt about critical thinking processes, reviewed the Procon.org Website in order to gather information, and engaged in pre-writing to examine your thoughts. 



In Part II of the assignment (due Week 4), you will write an essay geared towards synthesizing your ideas. As author E.M. Forster said, “How do I know what I think until I see what I say?”



Part II – Synthesizing and Writing: Now that you have examined your thinking about an issue by pre-writing about your ideas in Part I (due Week 2)– 



Write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:



1. Present an argument on an issue by stating your conclusion and identifying your premises. In other words, you will state your position (your conclusion) on the topic you selected and give three reasons (your premises) for why you believe as you do.



2. As we saw in Part I of the assignment, the Believing Game is “believing” what you don’t believe – in other words, trying to agree on some aspect of a view that you disagree with or oppose. Describe your reactions to your answers to the “believing” questions based on each of the three (3) premises you identified from the procon.org Website that are opposed to your position. 



3. The Doubting Game is “doubting” what you do believe – in other words, trying to disagree with some aspect of a view that you agree with. Describe your reactions to your answers to the “doubting” questions based on each of the three (3) premises you identified from the procon.org Website that are in agreement with your position. 



4. Examine at least three (3) types of biases that you likely experienced when you read the premises (reasons) for and against your position on the topic. (Note: Refer to the specific types of biases discussed in Chapter 2 of the Webtext.)



5. Describe whether or not your position on the issue has changed. Indicate whether your premises (reasons) for supporting the issue or not supporting the issue have changed. Explain why or why not.



The paper should follow guidelines for clear and organized writing: 



Include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph.

Address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.

Adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.



Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:



Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.



You must follow these submission guidelines:



Submit the essay to Turnitin.com and then submit the originality report and final essay with any needed revisions to Blackboard. 



The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:



Identify the informal fallacies, assumptions, and biases involved in manipulative appeals and abuses of language.

Create written work utilizing the concepts of critical thinking. 

Use technology and information resources to research issues in critical thinking skills and informal logic.