Overview
Instructions:
In this assignment we take the skills we have learned in this course outside of the classroom by applying them to those arguments that we interact with in our daily life.
This argument analysis consists of two parts: A presentation and responses to the presentations of your peers. This first part of the assignment is the initial presentation.
To complete this presentation you will find an argument outside of the class which you will breakdown into premises and a conclusion which you will then evaluate for validity and soundness. Your presentation can utilize a presentation software such as PowerPoint, google slides, or Prezi, or you can just make a video on VoiceThread of yourself speaking. How you relay your information is up to you, from the inclusion of a video to the use of a presentation aid. The only requirement is that you speak with your camera on for the presentation.
These arguments can range from an advertiser's argument that you should consume their product, a politician's argument that you should vote for them, an activists argument that you should view an issue as they do, or any other piece of persuasive rhetoric. The argument you choose need not be one that is meant to be taken seriously, though it certainly can be. You could choose to analyze a segment of the show "Ancient Aliens," an advertisement for Nike shoes, or a politicians argument that affirmative action is (im)moral for example.
Once you have chosen an argument, you will:
1 present the argument as the author does in a VoiceThread post.
2 break their argument into premises and a conclusion.
3 evaluate the argument for validity and soundness.