SPCH 20H Final Paper - Spring 2016

A. This assignment is designed to be a capstone paper drawing upon your semester studying argumentation and debate. You will apply argumentation concepts/theory to a published newspaper opinion/editorial. Your paper should be 5-7 pages total. Please double space your paper, use 1 inch margins, and 12 point font. 

B. Please select one of the following list of editorial articles for your paper:

"Is There Too Much Democracy in America or Too Little?" - NY Times, May 14, 2016 (Link)

"Fishes Have Feelings, Too" - NY Times, May 14, 2016 (Link)

"I loved Uber as a passenger. Then I started working as a driver" - LA Times, May 13, 2016 (Link)

"Blowing the whistle on the TSA" - San Gabriel Valley Tribune, May 12, 2016 (Link)

C. Please use the critical thinking model in analyzing the editorial. Please make sure to include at least 1 example (ie, a sentence) from the editorial for each of the parts to illustrate your point.

D. Please cover the following areas in your paper (1 paragraph each):

1. What is the question at issue?

2. What specific evidence is presented? Is the evidence credible?  Use the intellectual standards listed at the top of the model in evaluating the evidence.

3. What type(s) of inductive reasoning is included in the editorial?

4. What assumptions are made in the editorial?

5. What is the point of view (conclusion) of the editorial on the question identified in #1 above?

6. What is your overall impression of the editorial? Do you think it was persuasive?

E. You should have a short introduction and conclusion for your paper.

F. Please include a works cited page with a reference to the editorial you selected, the critical thinking model, and any other articles you cite in MLA format at the end your paper (does not count towards page limit). 

G. Your paper is due on the day of our final.

H. Please be prepared to present & defend #6 during the day of our final.

If you have any questions about the paper please contact me before turning in the paper.