Short Argument

UNIV 1212: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Spring 2013

Assignment 1

Short Argument

(10%=Constructing A Short Argument)

Purpose of Assignment

• This is an individual assignment. • This assignment will help students understand the argumentation process involved in critical thinking. This assignment will also help students recognize key features and concepts in particular aspects of argumentation.

Objectives

• To help students articulate a short argument. • To help students understand key terms and concepts involved in argumentation • To help students write a simple argument, and a counter-claim

Instructional Media: Tools and Resources

• Students will use the BlackBoard technology for submitting their work. • The sole resource will be the textbook by Inch & Warnick and article posted on Blackboard.

The Topic

You will read the article posted on Blackboard and write a simple argument by stating a claim and using at least two reasons to support the claim. You will then write a counter-claim to the claim.

Requirements

1. The report must use your own language. You are not permitted to cut and paste any sentences from the textbook.

3. The report must: • have a cover page • have an Assessment Rubric (if not, 1 point deducted) • use Times New Romans or Arial, font size: 12 • have a space of 1.5 between lines, • 1 Full page in length • full sentences (and no bullet points)

3. The report must use the following headings:

Claim:
Counterclaim:

Submission Criteria

Date Due: Post on BlackBoard on March 8, 2013.
Who must submit assignment: Each person must post the assignment on BlackBoard

Where to deliver hard copies: No Hard Copies

The following piece of info must appear on the cover page: UNIV 1212: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Spring 2013 Dr Ifzal Akhtar Section XXX Name: IDs: Majors: Assignment 1: Short Argument (10%)

Assessment Criteria

|Criteria |Assessment Rubric for Individual Argument |SCORES |
|Introduction |Clearly and articulately introduce the subject matter |2.5% |
|Claim |Clearly states claim and at least 2 reasons to support it |7% |
|Counter-claim |Clearly states counterclaim and at least 2 reasons to support it |7% |
|Conclusion |Clearly summarise your arguments and counter-arguments and confirm your |2.5% |
| |opinion on the article and subject matter | |
|Mechanics |Punctuation and spelling and capitalization are correct, words are well |6% |
| |chosen, writer uses own words, use of headings, topic sentences, third person,| |
| |full sentences, no bullet points, follows guidelines | |
|TOTAL | |25% |

Notes about Scoring

• The score is converted into an assessment score out of 10% by dividing the above score by 2.5

Late Assignments

• No late assignments are accepted. Late assignments will receive 0% marks. • Your assignment must be on BlackBoard on the due date before the start of class. • There are NO exceptions to these rules.