This essay is divided into two Parts: Assignment 1.1 is past due, I have an extension which is due August 1. –
Assignment 1.1: 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 (2) parts.
In Part I of the assignment Saturday, , you will first read a book excerpt about critical thinking processes: “The
Believing Game and How to Make Conflicting Opinions More Fruitful” by Peter Elbow. 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 (due Week 5), 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 (1) 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 (3) premises (reasons) listed under either the Pro or Con
section – whichever section opposes your position.
3. For each of the three (3) 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:
• This course requires use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS).
• This prewriting assignment has no page requirement. There is no requirement at this time to include
references in the assignment.
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
Assignment 1.2: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay – Part II Synthesizing and Writing
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.
The assignment is divided into two (2) parts.
For Part I of the assignment (due Week 3), you read a critical thinking process: “The Believing Game and How
to Make Conflicting Opinions More Fruitful” by Peter Elbow. , reviewed the Procon.org Website in order to
gather information, and engaged in prewriting to examine your thoughts.
* Remember that in the Week 2 Discussion, you examined the biases discussed in Chapter 2 of the webtext.
In Part II of the assignment (due Week 5), you will write a paper to synthesize your ideas.
Part II – Writing
Write at three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:
1. State your position on the topic you selected for Assignment 1.1.
2. Identify (3) three premises (reasons) from the Procon.org website that support your position and explain why
you selected these specific reasons.
3. Explain your answers to the “believing” questions about the three (3) premises opposing your position from
the Procon.org website.
4. Examine at least two (2) types of biases that you likely experienced as you evaluated the premises for and
against your position.
5. Discuss the effects of your own enculturation or group identification that may have influenced your biases.
6. Discuss whether or not your thinking about the topic has changed after playing the
“Believing Game,” even if your position on the issue has stayed the same.
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.
• Based on the guidelines in SWS, “A well-researched assignment has at least as many sources as pages.”
Since this assignment requires you to write at least 3-4 pages, you should include at least 3-4 references.