Essay Assignment: Understanding Logic and Recognizing Common Fallacies
Instructions
In a fully developed short essay (minimum of eight paragraphs in length), please answer all of the questions below and post your essay to the discussion forum. Your work should include an introduction, a body of supporting evidence, and a conclusion.
Remember that you are having a conversation with your peers in this particular genre of writing, so adopt an appropriate tone and vocabulary for an audience of contemporary college students. Please take some time to edit your work for punctuation, usage, and clarity prior to submission, and don't forget to comment on the works of two peers in order to earn full credit for these discussions.
Questions for Analysis
1) What role should logic play in modern argument? Which approach to reasoning do you think will be most useful for you in the research argument that you are developing in this course?
2) Using at least three of the common fallacies listed in this learning module, explain which errors in logic you see most frequently in your daily experience with the news, politics, and advertising. Please link to a news story, advertisement, or opinion piece in supporting your view (you should have at least three hyperlinks for this discussion, although you don't need to include a "Works Cited" list as part of your discussion post).
3) In reflecting on Jones's essay, Finding the Good Argument OR Why Bother With Logic, (page 8 of the Learning Unit) how can we, as participants in American culture, foster a healthier environment for productive debate? Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of finding common ground in these important public discussions? Explain your views on finding common ground in the arguments that we engage with as participants in a complex and diverse culture.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.