Presenting Arguments

Topic: Parenting
Question: What is the appropriate age to talk about sex to your children? 

In this class, we learn to evaluate issues in light of the reasoning on all sides prior to arriving at conclusions. We aim to evaluate the quality and quantity of evidence, striving to be as objective as we can about what is most likely to be true.

Once you have formulated your question, conduct research from non-scholarly sources on the internet (e.g., news articles, op-eds, etc.) that present substantive reasoning on each side of the issue.

Your task is to present and evaluate the reasoning from a non-scholarly source on each side of your issue. There is no need to take sides on the issue at this stage. In your analysis, strive to be as objective as possible, evaluating the reasoning from a neutral point of view. For an example of how to complete this paper, take a look at the Week One Example paper.

Your paper should include clearly labeled sections addressing the following elements:

Introduction (approximately 100 words)

Explain your topic.
State the specific question that you are addressing.


Presentation of an Argument

Describe the non-scholarly source (e.g., an op-ed, newspaper article, website, etc.) on one side of the issue and summarize the key points made (approximately 50 words).
Present what you see as the main argument from that source. Make sure to present your argument in standard form, with the premises listed above the conclusion. (approximately 100 words)
Evaluate the quality of the reasoning in this source (approximately 200 words)
        
In completing your evaluation, consider assessing how well the research supports the premises of the main argument and how strongly the reasoning supports the conclusion of that argument.




Presentation of an Argument on the Other Side of the Issue

Describe the non-scholarly source on the opposite side of the issue and summarize the key points made. (approximately 50 words)
Present what you see as the main argument from that source. Make sure to present your argument in standard form, with the premises listed above the conclusion. (approximately 100 words)
Evaluate the quality of the reasoning in this source (approximately 200 words)
        
In completing your evaluation, consider assessing how well the research supports the premises of the main argument and how strongly the reasoning supports the conclusion.