NOTE !PLEASE PICK SOCIAL MEDIA TOPIC FROM www.procon.org WEBSITE

Two paper PART I & PART 2 

Assignment 1.1: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay – Part I
Prewriting

The assignment is divided into two (2) parts.
First read a book excerpt about critical thinking processes: “The Believing Game and How to Make Conflicting Opinions More Fruitful” at http://www.procon.org/sourcefiles/believinggame.pdf. Next, you will review the Procon.org Website in order to gather information. Then, you will engage in prewriting to examine your thoughts.
Note: In Part II of the assignment (due Week 4), you will write an essay geared towards synthesizing your ideas.

 Part I – Prewriting: Follow the instructions below for this prewriting activity. Use complete sentences and adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.
1. Select one (1) of the approved topics from the www.procon.org Website and state your position on the issue. PLEASE PICK SOCIAL MEDIA TOPIC THIS IS  THE TOPIC I PICKED

 2. From the Procon.org Website, identify three (3) premises (reasons) listed under either the Pro or Con section – whichever section opposes your position.
3.For each of the three (3) premises (reasons) that oppose your position on the issue, answer these “believing” questions suggested by Elbow:

a. What’s interesting or helpful about this view?

b. What would I notice if I believed this view?

c. In what sense or under what conditions might this idea be true?”

The paper should follow guidelines for clear and organized writing:

· Include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph.

· Address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.

· Adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.

Assignment 1.2: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay – Part II
Synthesizing and Writing

In Part II of the assignment  you will write a paper to synthesize your ideas.
Part II – Writing
Write at three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:
1. State your position on the SOCIAL MEDIA topic you selected for Assignment 1.1.
2. Identify (3) three premises (reasons) from the Procon.org website that support your position    and explain why you selected these specific reasons.
3. Explain your answers to the “believing” questions about the three (3) premises opposing your position from the Procon.org website.
4. Examine at least two (2) types of biases that you likely experienced as you evaluated the premises for and against your position.   
5. Discuss the effects of your own enculturation or group identification that may have influenced your biases.
6. Discuss whether or not your thinking about the topic has changed after playing the “Believing Game,” even if your position on the issue has stayed the same.

The paper should follow guidelines for clear and organized writing:

· Include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph.

· Address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.

· Adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.