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 biases toward 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.
For 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 prewriting to examine
your thoughts.
* Remember that in the Week 2 Discussion, you
examined the biases discussed in Chapter 2 of the
webtext.
In Part II of the assignment (due Week 4), you will write
a paper to synthesize your ideas.
Part II – Writing
Write at three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:
1. State your position on the topic you selected for
Assignment 1.1.
2. Identify (3) three premises (reasons) from the
Procon.org website that support your position and
explain why you selected these specific reasons.
3. Explain your answers to the “believing” questions
about the three (3) premises opposing your position
from the Procon.org website.
4. Examine at least two (2) types of biases that you
likely experienced as you evaluated the premises for
and against your position.
5. Discuss the effects of your own enculturation or
group identification that may have influenced your
biases.
6. Discuss whether or not your thinking about the topic
has changed after playing the “Believing Game,” even
if your position on the issue has stayed the same.
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.
