Critical thinking #3

PHL 111 Milestone One Guidelines and Rubric

Overview: For your final project in this course, you will write a critical essay in which you use critical thinking skills to examine an argument presented in an article that is associated with your chosen topic. You will examine the argument’s logic, reasoning, bias, and credibility, and then apply the same critical thinking skills to developing your own alternative argument. You will then reflect on how you can apply this process to other areas and situations in your life. In the Module One journal assignment, you chose a topic and article that you will focus on for your final project. In this milestone, which is a first step toward the successful completion of your final project, you will introduce the article that you have chosen and begin to assess and analyze the argument asserted in the article. Prompt: Complete the Milestone One Worksheet and use your answers to draft a paragraph for each of the sections below. Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

I. Introduction: To begin your essay, you will formally introduce your real-world topic. As the foundation of your paper, your introduction should engage the audience and establish any necessary background.

A. Provide a brief overview of the topic. For example, you might consider the premise of the conversation and why the topic is being discussed. B. Describe any personal connection you have to the topic. Why is the topic of particular interest to you?

II. Presented Argument: In this section, you will explore the argument in your chosen artifact. You will uncover the logical structure of the argument and investigate any bias behind its claims.

A. Describe the argument made by the artifact. B. Identify key facts, research, or resources the argument is based on. Provide specific examples to support your identification. C. Describe the logic and reasoning used to advance the argument and any gaps or weaknesses present. Consider the premises and conclusion

advanced in the artifact, and the questions that are left unanswered.

Rubric Guidelines for Submission: Complete the Milestone One Worksheet.

Critical Elements Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (75%) Not Evident (0%) Value Introduction:

Overview Provides a brief overview of the topic Provides an overview of the topic but

overview is too verbose or contains inaccuracies

Does not provide an overview of the topic 15

Introduction: Personal Connection

Describes personal connection to this topic Describes personal connection to this topic but description is cursory or unrelated to the topic

Does not describe any personal connection to this topic

15

Presented Argument: Argument

Describes the argument made by the artifact Describes the argument made but description is cursory, contains inaccuracies, or is incomplete

Does not describe the argument made by the artifact

20

Presented Argument: Key Facts, Research,

Resources

Identifies key facts, research, or resources the argument is based on and provides specific examples to support identification

Identifies key facts, research, or resources, but does not provide specific examples or examples provided are illogical

Does not identify key facts, research, or resources

20

Presented Argument: Logic and

Reasoning

Describes the logic and reasoning used to advance the argument and any gaps or weaknesses present

Describes the logic and reasoning used to advance the argument and any gaps or weaknesses present but description is cursory, illogical, or contains inaccuracies

Does not describe the logic and reasoning used to advance the argument

20

Articulation of Response

Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization

Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas

Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas

10

Total 100%