Ashford 3: – Week 2 – Assignment

 

Argument Outline 

Please read the instructions below for information on how to complete this assignment. 

For a list of resources that are specific to this assignment, please utilize the “Resources Tab” located below. 

If you feel that you need help with any of the main topics for this week, please revisit the Practice Activities located in the Weekly Overview. 

• Assignment 

• Resources 

Please choose one of the following videos:

• Peter Singer’s Ethics

• Slavoj Zizek in Examined Life

• Martin Luther King Jr. on NBC’s Meet the Press in 1965

• Alan Keyes v. Barack Obama debate on death penalty

For this assignment, you will outline at least one of the arguments that you believe are made in the video you selected. In your outline: 

• Identify the issue that is addressed and the conclusion that is presented. 

• Identify the premises that are given in support of that conclusion. 

• Explain whether or not you think the argument is convincing by presenting your reasons for this position. If you do not have evidence for your position, you should consult scholarly materials that relate to the position you present.

Here is an example of an outline about an argument from the Monty Python Argument Clinic video. Utilize the same structure found in the example, but be sure to provide enough detail to satisfactorily complete all aspects of the prompt.

There is no minimum word count, but you must include a title page and reference page in APA style. The only required resource for this assignment is the multimedia source you chose to analyze. This should be the source that you primarily use to complete the assignment. Secondary sources are welcome but not necessary, and they should not be used in place of the argument piece you selected. 

The Ashford Writing Center (AWC)  has two kinds of tutoring available to you.

• Live Chat – If you have writing-related questions about a topic before you draft a discussion post or submit a written assignment, you will now be able to chat live with a tutor for a short (up to 20 minute) conversation. Live Chat will be available Monday through Friday from 10:00-11:00 am and 4:00-5:00 pm (PST). AWC Live Chat

• Email Paper Review – If you have a draft, partial draft, or even if you’re having trouble getting started, you can complete a submission form and email your paper to the AWC for review. 

o Writing Tutors will do their best to return your paper with their comments within 48 hours, not including Saturdays and Sundays. Please plan accordingly if you would like to receive feedback before an assignment due date. AWC Email Paper Review

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment. 

Late Policy: Written assignments (essays, journals, presentations) are due on the specified days in the course. Written assignments will be subject to a late penalty of up to 10% per day up to three days late. If written assignments are submitted after 72 hours past the due date, instructors can give a penalty up to and including a grade of 0 for the assignment.

Weekly Terms

The following terms are valuable and should be committed to memory.

• Conclusion 

• Premise 

• Proposition