After reading the chapter and lessons, write four short responses (up to 75 words each, three to four sentences) on a topic and issue of your choosing. Select a topic/issue you think is important and worth your time. Then demonstrate in your writing:

1. A reasoned, inductive argument that you stand behind.
2. A reasoned, deductive argument that you stand behind.
3. A rationalized perspective that opposes your argument.
4. A confirmation bias perspective that opposes your argument.

Refer to and use the Premises and Syllogisms section (92-98) and the Some Procedures in Argumentsection (98-121).

As you can tell, this assignment takes more thinking than writing. Use your wording carefully and make your words do a lot of work for you. Aim for clarity and precision. Whatever you choose to write about, write as if I’ve never heard of it before.

As for sources, you can be really informal for this assignment. If you think you’ll re-use a source that you find, go ahead and keep a citation record, but you do not need to create a works cited list for this assignment. You can use conversations you overheard, conversations you’ve had, conversations you wish you had (you know how it is when after the conversation is over you think of what you should have said). Do indicate when you are quoting a source. For example, “I was listening to a CNN video on YouTube where an interviewee said, “…insert quote here…” but I could tell they were rationalizing because of how they took the words “from the quote” out of context.”

I don’t want you to spend hours and hours doing formal research for this assignment. I want you to pay attention to the arguments that go in and around your everyday life and listen critically to them.