Unit 3: Identifying Illogical Arguments
Assignment Details
Part 1:
Please find an argument to analyze. Be creative! Some suggestions are to use a commercial, letter to the editor (or op/ed piece). Analyze the argument you choose.
What is the main purpose of the argument?
Is it inductive? Deductive?
Are there any fallacies being used? If so, which ones?
Part 2:
Does the argument align with a philosophical theory or theorist? Choose one philosophical theory or theorist and explain – from that perspective – what you would change to make the argument better. Think about the steps that you could use to improve the argument. For example, if you pick Socrates as a theorist think of how Socrates would reflect upon and engage the argument for change.
Look for common fallacies like:
Circular thinking – typically restating the premise in the conclusion and creating a “circular” argument
Appeals to authority – generally this fallacy considers an argument that we should listen to based on some “false” or “non” authority. Is this happening in your argument example?
False cause – in this fallacy the writer or speaker attributes a “false” cause to some effect or result (often you will see superstitious thinking used here).
Sweeping generalizations – this fallacy occurs when an individual makes generalizations (usually stereotypical thinking)
Equivocation – in this fallacy a person confuses two senses of the meaning of a word (like a free animal- is it free because it doesn’t cost anything or is it free because it is not in a “cage”?)
Red herring – very common in political settings. This fallacy is a distraction (think of a big red fish – pretty distracting, right?)
Utilize at least 2 credible sources to support the arguments presented in the paper. Make sure you cite them appropriately within your paper, and list them in APA format on your Reference page. Your paper should be 4-6 pages in length, not counting the Title page and Reference page. In accordance with APA formatting requirements, your paper should include a Title and Reference page, should be double-spaced, and include a running head and page numbers.
Grading Criteria
Assignment Criteria Proficient Descriptor Points
Part 1
Selection of argument Identifies the argument selected for analysis, including the source and the type of media: print, television, Internet video, etc.
States why this piece is of interest. /10 pts.
Analysis Describes the main purpose of the argument.
Explains whether the argument’s reasoning is inductive or deductive. Or, explain why neither inductive nor deductive reasoning is present. /15 pts.
Identify fallacies Explains the fallacies that are present in the argument, referring to one or more credible sources. /20 pts.
Part 2
Philosophical theory Provides an overview of one philosophical theory or theorist to use as a point of view for suggesting improvements to the argument.
Uses one or more credible sources in applying theory to the selected argument. /20 pts.
Application of philosophical theory to the selected argument Discusses how the theorist would reflect upon the argument and then engage for change to the selected argument. /15 pts.
Improving the argument Delineates improvements to the selected argument, from the perspective of the philosophical theory or theorist.
Addresses each of the identified fallacies. /40 pts.
Format Provides a 4-6 page essay that is double-spaced, and includes a title page, reference page, running head, and page numbers. /10 pts.
Credibility Credible information sources (a minimum of two) utilized are clearly identified, properly cited, and referenced using APA Style. /10 pts.
Grammar & Mechanics Sentences are clear, well-articulated, and free from grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. /10 pts.
Total /150 pts.
