As in Module 8, you will be required to read the two articles (“Yes, It Provides Protection For Children” by Steve and Gayle Francis and “No, It delays Access to Medical Care And Counseling” by Patricia Bellasaima) with opposing viewpoints on a very contentious matter (California State Proposition 4 in the 2008 general election).
1. Print out and then quickly read each article to get an overall idea of each author’s argument.
2. Next, thoroughly read each article, identifying purposes, conclusions, and premises and your own personal bias concerning the argument. .
3. As you identify premises, take notes as to the possible fallacies or strengths each might have.
4. Form your own conclusion. Base this upon the arguments presented by one or both of the authors as well as research of your own.
5. Now you’re ready to write your final exam essay.
6. Refer to the guide in Module 8 to steer you through the format of the essay.
? Essay Guide Module 8:
? Paragraph 1:
? Introduction (articles’ titles and autors as well as brief background)
? Paragraph 2 :
? Briefly summarize the 1st article.
? Paragraph 3:
? Statement and analyze the premises of the 1st article
? Paragraph 4:
? Briefly Summarize the 2nd article
? Paragraph 5:
? Statement and analyze the premises of 2nd article
? Paragraph 6:
? Form your own opinion (conclusion) based upon the above analyses
You might also want to refer to your text as well as notes from previous lectures. Be sure to keep in mind:
• Potential errors of truth (Module 2)
• Ambiguity (Module 2)
• Overgeneralization (Module 2)
• Opinions stated as Facts (Module 2)
• Stereotyping, Egocentrism, Ethnocentrism, Unwarranted Assumptions (Module 3)
• Implications, Consequences, Non-literal Language (Module 5)
• Inductive Arguments and Analogies (Module 7)
http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20081009/news_lz1e9bellasal.html
http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20081009/news_lz1e9francis.htm
