Ancient history

profileFegor396
Essay32021.rtf

Essay 3 , Avoiding the Binary Blues

As human beings, we all get caught in the “either/or” trap at various points in our lives, where we can only see two options/answers/solutions/sides to an issue. Sometimes, there really are only two options – mustard or ketchup, hot or cold, Browns or Steelers, but many times, especially with many important issues, there are more than two, even many, options to consider.

When putting together a solid argument or quality research, it is vitally important to consider multiple points of view and/or factors. Doing this strengthens your credibility with the reader by showing that you have looked at other points of view/considered other factors when creating and making your own points. It also effectively shuts down, or at least minimizes, any counterargument another person might make.

Counterargument: An argument that challenges your own with a differing viewpoint, supported by different information from different OR the same sources you used. A good counterargument can diminish or demolish your credibility.

Rebuttal: Your challenge to a Counterargument that answers the challenges made and/or challenges the veracity and credibility of the statements made in a counterargument.

Many Fallacies can be found in an argument that only discusses two side of an issue, including:

Either/Or (a.k.a. False Dilemma) – Offering the reader only two choices when most likely, more exist.

Polarization – (a variation of Either/Or) If people do not entirely agree with everything you say, then they are completely against you.

Correlation ≠ Causation (a.k.a. Post Hoc) – Just because event #2, etc. happened while or after event #1 happened does not necessarily mean that event #1 caused any of the following events. Actual connections must be documented and shown.

Begging the Question/Circular Reasoning (talking in circles) – This fallacy happens when an argument uses a question or statement that answers itself/already assumes the premise is valid. Some examples: Are the Cleveland Browns bad because they are the Cleveland Browns? Star Wars and Star Trek are the same because sci-fi/fantasy fans like them both.

Misdirection – By only discussing your point of view and one other that you know to be controversial and mostly unaccepted by your audience, you not only create another Either/Or scenario, you also distract the audience from other valid points of view that differ from yours. This can take several forms:

Red Herring – Distract by raising a completely different topic (lead people off the path).

Straw Man – Distract by misrepresenting or distorting another person’s argument in an attempt to diminish their credibility.

Argument Absurdum* – carry another person’s argument to an extreme, outlandish, or flat-out impossible conclusion to distract from real conclusions. * This one gets a “BBHoF Asterix” because sometimes it CAN be used to illustrate the extreme or ill thought out points of another argument that fails to consider significant, known facts and situations that must be considered. Best Example Ever (imo): “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift.

Ad Hominin (literally “At the Man”) – Distract with a direct attack on another person to diminish their credibility using opinion, speculation, or non-credible and/or non-relevant information.

Slippery Slope* – If we do X, then what is to stop Y, Z, and even further things from being done or happening? How do we stop? Where, why, when do we stop? Who gets to decide the criteria for the stopping point? * = Slippery Slope gets a “BBHoF Asterix” because sometimes IT IS A VALID ARGUMENT in that it is an effective challenge to arguments that put forth a “One Answer for All” solution without considering any other relevant and important factors.

Scare Tactic – (a mash-up of Slippery Slope and Argument Absurdum) By creating a worst case scenario or fabricating an issue that doesn’t even exist as a contrast to your viewpoint, you mislead the reader into thinking that the other option(s) is/are threatening or outright dangerous.

What to Do for Essay 3

Choose a social issue that is being currently debated at the local, regional, national, international, or global level that as of yet does not have a viable solution that everyone agrees on (PLEASE NOTE: Do not choose a topic that you have already written about or could use when writing the Capstone Essay).

Once you have chosen your main argument, look at multiple sides ( minimum three – look at how at least three different groups see the same issue, or think in terms of “Yes, No, or It Depends” on at least this 1 other – or these 2 other, or 3 other factors), of the issue. How does each side use L/E/C. Define the issue and the differing points of view for the reader. Also point out any fallacies in the arguments presented by your sources regarding their individual viewpoints on the topic.

Find credible evidence/information to support your statements, being sure to identify and explain your sources and also cite them. Organize your information, ideas, and points so the reader can understand and learn from your message to form their own opinion. Cite all your sources in text and on a Works Cited/References page.

The A List – Essay 3

To earn an “A” on the assignment, the following criteria must be met. The further an assignment deviates from these criteria, the lower the grade will be.

In any assignment:

Argument

Is effective, informative, persuasive, balanced

Makes use of Big 3

Main Point

Clear and concise

Very specific, defined

Supporting Points

Directly relate to Main Point

Stay on topic, demonstrate the Main Point step-by-step in a way that makes sense to the reader.

Sources

Credible, Recognized (NO Wikis or “How To/About/etc.” sites allowed)

Use enough sources to back up your statements to give them (and yourself) credibility.

Captures and Holds Interest

Is interesting, engaging, thought provoking

Makes reader want to start reading and keep on reading.

Continuity

Maintain viewpoint, tone

Points of argument/statements do not contradict earlier or later points/statements. Also, overall tone (formal/academic, matter-of-fact, personal, satire/humorous) does not change.

Clear, Concise, Focused, Flows

Reader does not have to guess, infer, assume, or have prior knowledge of the topic

Stays on topic, avoids tangents and/or trivial/irrelevant info, moves reader easily from one point to the next without insulting their intelligence or using “insider lingo” without explanation.

Insert Choices

Block Quotes, Pictures/Figures

When appropriate to help reader better understand your message. Must be formatted correctly under APA/MLA guidelines.

Mechanics – Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, and Syntax/etc.

DON’T TRUST SPELLCHECK AND/OR GRAMMARCHECK ENTIRELY

Proofread your paper yourself to check for these errors as there are still many ‘bugs’ in these programs and human beings are not yet obsolete.

Format

APA or MLA – follow guidelines

( http://owl.english.purdue.edu)

DO NOT TRUST AUTO-FORMATTING SOFTWARE/WEBSITES (see above).

Elements unique to this assignment: Essay 3 – Avoiding the Binary Blues

Argument

Examine the Main Perspectives of the issue BEYOND Side A or Side B only

Controlling/Main idea that pulls reader in, makes them curious, hear what you have to say about the multiple aspects of the issue

Main Point

What are the main perspectives regarding the issue?

Make it clear. Do not make the reader guess or assume.

Supporting Points

What are some specific points and examples from each perspective that support your main point? Use some quotes from sources to boost your credibility.

Do not assume the reader knows all the examples you give, but also do not burden them with unnecessary information. More importantly, show them your line of thought on these examples so they do not have to infer or guess at your meaning.

Sources

Use multiple sources, (print, Internet, broadcast)

Remember that you are looking for multiple perspectives, not just A or B, For or Against.

Continuity, Flow, Captures and Holds Interest

Your examples work together to support your main point

Choose interesting/intriguing/relatable examples to keep reader interested.

Clear, Concise, Focused

Reader does not have to guess, infer, assume, or have prior knowledge of the topic

Stays on topic, avoids tangents and/or trivial/irrelevant info, moves reader easily from one point to the next without insulting their intelligence or using “insider lingo” without explanation.

Study/Studies

Who did the article/studies? Who funded them? Would they have any reasons to support a specific viewpoint?

Give specific examples and cite information sources to effectively support your points.

Mechanics – Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, and Syntax/etc.

Use rules for Standard Academic/Professional American English, which you should be familiar with at this point in time.

Proofread your paper yourself to check for these errors as there are still many ‘bugs’ in these programs and human beings are not yet obsolete.

Format

APA or MLA – follow guidelines

( http://owl.english.purdue.edu)

DO NOT TRUST AUTO-FORMATTING SOFTWARE/WEBSITES (see above).