Introduction (approximately 150 words)
Introduce readers to your topic.
Include a brief preview of what you will accomplish in this paper.
First Argument (approximately 200 words)
Present the best argument on one side of the issue.
Put your argument in standard form, with the premises listed one by one above the conclusion.
You may put the premises into your own words, or you may quote a source. If you use words directly from a source, then they must occur within quotation marks (in addition to the citation).
This argument can be based on the scholarly sources you analyzed in Week 3, but it can also include evidence from other sources you have found (in addition to your own improvements). It is to represent what you take to be the best argument you have found for this side of the issue.
Cite sources that support your premises. Refer to the Writing Centers APA: Citing Within Your Paper resource to structure the citations.
Opposing Argument (approximately 200 words)
Present the best argument on the other side of the issue (same as above, but on the opposite side).
Develop your argument in standard form, with sources cited to support your statements (as above).
Analysis of the Arguments (approximately 300 words)
Evaluate the quality of the two arguments given above.
This can include addressing whether key premises are true (or well supported) and how strongly the conclusion logically follows from them.
Explain any fallacies, biases, or rhetorical tricks committed by any of them.
Analyze why one is stronger than the other.
Justify your position not with opinion but with your analysis of the quality of the arguments.
Presentation of your own argument on the topic (approximately 200 words)
Construct your own argument on the topic.
Present your argument in standard form.
Of course, this argument will be influenced and supported by the research you have done, but this is to be your own argument in your own words supporting your thesis.
For any premises that are based on research, include a citation of the relevant source (even though the premise is in your own words).
Addressing an objection to your argument (approximately 300 words)
Present what you would consider to be the best possible objection to your argument (you may address more than one if you prefer).
Present what you would take to be the best reply to this objection and defense of your argument.
Cite a scholarly source in this section as well (either in your presentation of the objection or in your response to it).
Conclusion (approximately 150 words)
Summarize the evidence for all points of view.
Evaluate how controversial topics should be addressed by critical thinkers
The Fair-Minded Reasoning Final Paper,
Must be five to seven double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references) and formatted according to APA Style as outlined in the Writing Centers APA Formatting for Microsoft Word
Must include a separate title page with the following:
Title of paper in bold font
Space should appear between the title and the rest of the information on the title page.
Students name
Name of institution (University of Arizona Global Campus)
Course name and number
Instructors name
Due date
Must utilize academic voice. See the Academic Voice resource for additional guidance.
Must include an introduction and conclusion paragraph. Your introduction paragraph needs to end with a clear thesis statement that indicates the purpose of your paper.
For assistance on writing Introductions & Conclusions as well as Writing a Thesis Statement, refer to the Writing Center resources.
Must use at least three scholarly sources in addition to the course text.
The Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for the final paper.
To assist you in completing the research required for this assignment, view The University of Arizona Global Campus Library Quick n Dirty tutorial, which introduces the University of Arizona Global Campus Library and the research process, and provides some library search tips.
Must document any information used from sources in APA Style as outlined in the Writing Centers APA: Citing Within Your Paper
Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA Style as outlined in the Writing Center. See the APA: Formatting Your References List resource in the Writing Center for specifications.
