Help on Writing

M2: Essay Discussion (D-01)

Instructions

First review the general instructions in the General Essay Discussion Instructions page. Once you choose which question you'd like to write about, write your essay and save it as a Word document. Submit it to the assignment dropbox before posting (copy and paste) it in the discussion board.

· To create your post, click the Reply button. Do not attach the word document. Copy and paste the essay into the text box. To be able to read and respond to others' posts, you will first need to Post your own reply. Your first post is the one that will be graded--a blank post WILL be graded if it is your first post in the board.

· After you Post your Reply, refresh the screen to view everyone's posts.

· Finally, read your classmates' posts. A complete assignment includes your written response to at least one essay besides your own--part of your score is based on your reply to at least one of your classmate's posts. It should be a meaningful reply that continues the discussion, points out something good about the post, and makes a constructive suggestion for improvement.

View the discussion rubric to make sure your discussion post meets all the requirements. Not sure how to? Read How do I view my graded discussion?

Links to an external site.

Topics for your Essay, Choose A or B

Essay Length tips--To answer these topics completely, it takes about 2 pages - 8-10 paragraphs. Use the topic questions and the scoring rubric to see if your draft responds fully to all parts of the question. A complete thoughtful answer is more important than word count.

Topic A: What is the fallacy of Straw Man? How is it different than simply disagreeing with someone else’s point of view?

Use the material in Vaughn's book to help you give a detailed explanation of what the mistake in a Straw Man is. To demonstrate your understanding and to teach the idea to the rest of the class, provide a relevant real-life example of the logical mistake. (You MAY use an outside source to help you present your example; be sure to summarize or paraphrase, cite, and use announcing verbs.) Choose carefully - consider whether your example does a good job of illustrating a Straw Man. Contrast it to other fallacies, and show why your example is a Straw Man. The discussion of your example should be detailed so that readers can evaluate the fallacy. Argue the case for why your example is, indeed, an example of Straw Man rather than another fallacy.

Topic B: Is it morally permissible to believe in God just because it is to your practical advantage to believe? Why or why not? Use the material in Vaughn's book to help you explain how Pascal argues for belief in God. Explain the strengths and weaknesses of other thinkers have identified in his reasoning.

What does the argument against believing in God without sufficient evidence look like? Is it plausible that God would look kindly on atheists and agnostics to because they refuse to believe without evidence? After all, aren't they simply using God's gift of reason to arrive at their decision?