This document provides an agenda for Class 20 of EWRT 2. It includes dates to remember such as making up an exam on December 4th and a self-assessment essay due on December 6th. Students will do an in-class writing of a self-assessment and work on drafting Essay #5. The document provides details on making up an exam, writing the self-assessment essay, developing a thesis for Essay #5, and outlining the essay. Homework includes finishing the revision of Essay #5 which is due on December 7th at midnight.
Standard Form ArgumentsDiscussion TitleThe central tool of.docxwhitneyleman54422
Standard Form Arguments
Discussion Title
The central tool of logic is the argument. Accordingly, constructing good arguments is the central element of this course. Each writing assignment in this course will give you an opportunity to construct and improve upon an argument that you will develop as the course progresses. This discussion post allows you to begin the process of developing your argument by presenting good reasoning on both sides of an issue.
The requirement for this discussion is a minimum of four posts on four separate days, including at least two substantive responses to peers. The total combined word count for all of your posts for this discussion, counted together, should be at least 400 words. Answer all the questions in the prompt, and read any resources that are required to complete the discussion properly. In order to satisfy the posting requirements for the week, complete your initial post by Day 3 (Thursday) and your other posts by Day 7 (Monday). We recommend that you get into the discussion early and spread out your posts over the course of the week. Reply to your classmates and instructor. Attempt to take the conversation further by responding substantively to the replies that others make to you as well. Keep the discussion on target, and analyze things in as much detail as you can.
Prepare: To prepare for this discussion, make sure to read the assigned chapters of the primary text and to review the required resources, including the videos about arguments (in the “Lectures” link on the left). Before responding to the prompt, make sure as well to participate in the interactive scenario at the top of this page titledThe Raise to gain more appreciation of the importance of constructing good arguments in life.
Reflect: Choose a topic from thePHI103 Final Paper Options list. It should be a topic that you find interesting, but also for which you will be able defend a position with careful logical reasoning. Construct the strongest argument that you can on each side of the issue. Strengthen your arguments by contemplating possible objections to each argument, and revise your arguments in light of the objections. Continue this process until you feel that your arguments for each side are as convincing as you can possibly make them.
Write: Present your two arguments (one on each side of the issue) in standard form (with each premise and conclusion on a separate line) on the topic you selected from thePHI103 Final Paper Options list. The two arguments should defend different positions on the topic. For example, if your topic was the existence of Santa Claus, then you would present one argument for the claim that Santa Claus does exist and another argument that Santa Claus does not exist. The premises of each argument will present reasons for thinking that the conclusion is true.
Here is an example of what an argument in standard form looks like:
Premise 1: If Santa Claus exists, then he lives at the North Pole.
Prem.
2. AGENDA
Dates to Remember
Make up Exam
In-class writing: Self Assessment
Drafting Essay #5
3. Dates to Remember
Tuesday, Dec. 4: Friday, Dec 7
Make-up Exam Revised Essay due
Self Assessment (midnight)
Thursday, Dec 13: 9:15-
Thursday, Dec 6: 11:15
Meetings by appointment Essay #5 due (paper or
in my office. electronic)
Self-Assessment due Game of Thrones
(midnight) Episode
4. Make-up Exam
When I come by, get the one
exam you would like to make up.
You have 20 minutes to complete
the exam.
In A Game of Thrones, you win or
you die! Play Hard!
5. Self-Assessment Essay
(150-300 words)
• The blogging post points (200) require self-
assessment. Consider three aspects of your
responses:
• First, how many of the posts did you make?
• Second, what was the quality of your response?
• Third, how timely were your submissions?
• Write a short essay justifying your grade. This is an
essay like any other, so make sure you have an
intro, a thesis, body paragraphs, a counterargument
if appropriate, and a conclusion. You must include a
grade!
This is due midnight, Thursday, December 6.
7. Look for key words:
Argue, Explain, Discuss, Describe, Analyze, Exemplify, Compare
Explain what Thoreau meant by “Under a government which imprisons
any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also in a prison.”
Using one or two characters from A Game of Thrones, Explain how this
idea shows itself.
Argue for or against the character’s or characters’ moral and ethical
strength.
Argue for the wisdom of adhering to moral and ethical strength in
contemporary America.”
Use Examples from both the novel and society to support your
assertions.
8. For this prompt, your thesis would be focused on this part:
“Argue for or against the character’s or characters’
moral and ethical strength.
Then follow with the “So what” part:
Then argue for the wisdom of adhering to moral and
ethical strength in contemporary America.”
9. Look for key words: Argue, Explain, Discuss, Describe, Analyze, Compare
Argue that Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” could be used as an accurate
description of mankind’s relationship to the Truth in A Game of Thrones.
Explain who or what represents the following people: people in
chairs, images, the fire, figures tending the fire, the sun, the truth-bringer.
Argue for how you could extend your application of the “Allegory” to
contemporary society.
10. For this one, you would focus here:
Argue that Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” could be used as an
accurate description of mankind’s relationship to the Truth in A
Game of Thrones.
Then add the so what part:
Argue for how you could extend your application of the
“Allegory” to contemporary society.
11. Look for key words:
Argue, Explain, Discuss, Describe, Analyze, Compare
Compare: Make sure you do compare each of the siblings
to Judith and William Shakespeare. You might want to set up
on paragraph that outlines the Shakespeare’s situation and
follow with the other sets of siblings.
Argue that their lives would be different w/o gender bias
Discuss: Extend your theories about A Game of Thrones to
modern society.
Argue that the limitations and opportunities still hold true for
women today.
12. Thesis
Argue that (and how) their lives would be different
had gender not played a role in their fates.
So What?
Argue that these limitation and opportunities still hold
(or don’t hold) true for women today
13. Drafting Essay #5: The Thesis
Please copy your question onto
a piece of paper.
Directly below it, write a one
sentence answer that addresses
the argument portion of the
prompt. This will be your thesis.
14. Outline
Introduction: Do I need to respond to a part of the prompt here?
Should I include a directed summary here
Thesis: One sentence directly answering the question
Body paragraphs: Do I need to respond to particular aspects of the prompt?
Which?
What topic sentences can I use that directly support my thesis?
Which textual evidence will I use to both establish my theoretical framework
(A World of Ideas) and to support my argument (A Game of Thrones).
Conclusion: Can I extend my analysis of A Game of Thrones to contemporary
society? Do I need a different type of conclusion? Which?
15. Essay #5
When you have a clear
thesis, you may work on your
essay.
I will be around to ask and
answer questions
16. Homework
Essay #5
Finish your revision (due Friday night at midnight)
Remember, we will not have a formal meeting
on Thursday. I will be available for conferences in
my office during class hours. I do suggest making
an appointment if you want to see me.
See you in class on Thursday, December 13th at
9:15!