Reference no: EM131463415

Assignment: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay- Part I

Prewriting

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 by playing the "Believing Game." The Believing Game is about making the effort to "believe" - or at least consider - the reasons for an opposing view on an issue.

The assignment is divided into two parts.

In Part I of the assignment, you will first read a book excerpt about critical thinking processes: "The Believing Game and How to Make Conflicting Opinions More Fruitful" at https://www.procon.org/sourcefiles/believinggame.pdf. Next, you will review the Procon.org Website in order to gather information. Then, you will engage in prewriting to examine your thoughts.

Note: In Part II of the assignment, you will write an essay geared towards synthesizing your ideas.

Part I - Prewriting: Follow the instructions below for this prewriting activity. Use complete sentences and adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.

1. Select one of the approved topics from the www.procon.org Website and state your position on the issue.

2. From the Procon.org Website, identify three premises (reasons) listed under either the Pro or Con section - whichever section opposes your position.

3. For each of the three premises (reasons) that oppose your position on the issue, answer these "believing" questions suggested by Elbow:

a. What's interesting or helpful about this view?
b. What would I notice if I believed this view?
c. In what sense or under what conditions might this idea be true?"

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.

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.

2. Discussion: "Understanding Barriers to Our Own Thinking"

Please respond to the following:

• From the www.procon.org Website, select one topic of your choice and read the Pro section and the Con section on the selected topic. Next, choose three reasons listed under the Pro section and three reasons listed under the Con section. Based on the biases discussed in Chapter 2 and the reasons presented at the Procon.org website:

o State your position on the selected topic. Determine the biases you experienced as you examined the reasons for and against your position.

o Describe your reaction to your experience of these biases.

3. "Operating System and Office Options" Please respond to the following:

• Compare and contrast at least two operating systems that are available today for use on personal computers and / or mobile devices. If you were considering the purchase of a new computing device (i.e., desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet), explain which one you would select. Then, include three reasons as to why you would choose that type.

• Read the article titled "Not ready for Office 2013? Here are five open alternatives." You can also use the Internet or Strayer Library to research articles on alternatives to Microsoft's offerings. Next, select one application suite that could serve as an alternative to Microsoft Office 2013, and compare and contrast the main functionalities of each. Then, explain whether or not you would consider utilizing the selected alternative over Microsoft's offering. Provide a rationale for your response.