Writers Den

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Assignment 2

Initial
Arguments (5%)

Submit your
assignment on or before the due date specified in the Course Calendar using
your last name, first initial and assignment number as a title (e.g. Tilsond
A2).

In the last assignment you
were asked to list six controversial social issues and take a stance on them if
possible. In this assignment, you need to narrow down that selection from six
to three and add two premises to support each conclusion. Choose only those
issues on which you have a definite conclusion so that you will be able to make
a strong argument to support that opinion. Be sure to read my comments on
the first assignment before you begin this one.

YOUR TASK

1. From your list of issues
in Assignment One, pick three issues that interest you most, three issues that
you have a clear position on.

2. For each of these
issues, construct an argument by listing the issue, your conclusion, and at
least two reasons/premises to support your conclusion.

Be sure to document well
the SOURCE of each clipping (title of source, date, author where appropriate)
so that you can reference it later on in Assignment 4.

Assignment Two Checklist
My issue statement begins with the words “Whether or not?”
My issue statement contains only one issue. My issue is not vague or relative. (It is not a question of degree, it is a concrete social choice, and it is not a matter of speculation)
My conclusion begins with the words “Yes” or “No” and then repeats the words used to define the issue.
Each of the reasons is numbered.

Scoring Grid

Three controversial issues that follow the rules of Assignment 1 (1)
One complete sentence for each conclusion in which the conclusion directly answers the issue question but does not begin to give the reasons by including something like a “because” clause. You must not include any reasons in your conclusion statement.(1)
Two reasonable reasons for the first conclusion, each expressed in one sentence. (1)
Two reasonable reasons for the second conclusion, each expressed in one sentence.(1)
Two reasonable reasons for third conclusion, each expressed in one sentence. (1)
TOTAL (5)