...Texting While Driving – Valid Argument Jill Elias PHI103 Informal Logic July, 9 2014 Instructor: Eric Maass Texting while driving is a serious issue that has come to light over the past couple of years. There are accidents being reported daily due to texting while driving. Some argue that banning texting while driving is taking away our personal freedom and making criminals out of individuals who are good drivers. With the increase in numbers of accidents as well as deaths due to this issue, the government has to ban texting while driving. If not, we are going to lose more citizens to this pointless cause. This argument to me is a sound valid argument. The issue is that texting while driving is causing accidents and well as deaths. The premise is that when texting while driving you are not paying attention to the road, which leads to accidents. Texting while driving is the same as driving blind for 5 seconds (2014). I have chosen this as a valid sound argument because the statistics prove that when you text and drive, accidents are more likely to occur then when you are not. Examples from textingwhiledriving.com * 1,600,000 accidents are caused per year per the National safety council. * There are 330,000 injuries due to texting while driving per year * 11 deaths are caused every day in teens * Nearly 25% of all accidents are caused by texting As you can see the numbers speak for themselves. The point that you are making criminals out of...
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...PHIL 252 UNIT 1- Exercise 1 Write out answers to the questions in Exercises 1.1 and 1.2 in the Cederblom and Paulsen textbook as you come to them. • You may omit #5 of Exercise 1.2 on page 14. • For Question C on page 15, you may work with one of the accompanying editorials. • After completing the exercises in the textbook, as outlined above, it will be useful for you to produce a short piece of writing. This is a starting point in developing your reasoning skills, and it will be used later to help you improve your writing. In a paragraph or two, express an opinion on one of the following issues and support it: • a. censorship • b. capital punishment • c. abortion • d. use of alcohol or other drugs • e. marriage • f. single parenting • g. gun laws • h. building new prisons • i. the prospects for your generation[1] UNIT 2- Exercise 2 When you have completed the reading, answer the questions in Exercise 2.3, on pages 36–38 of Critical Reasoning. UNIT 3 -Exercise 1 Please answer the questions in Exercise 4.3, pages 98 to 99 of Critical Reasoning. Also do mini quiz on moodle. UNIT 4 - Miniquiz 1 Translate the following statements into standard-form categorical propositions. 1. Violets are blue. 2. There are glasses in the dining room. 3. Only faculty members may use the lounge. 4. Insults make her angry. 5. Every dog has his day. 6. A rare warbler was sighted in this area last week. 7. Any one will do. 8. Shakespeare...
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...buy. However recently there has been a nationwide shortage. Manufactures and retailers can’t keep supplies on their shelves longer than a few minutes of receiving a new shipment. It should be pointed out that the ammo isn’t illegal, and it should be pointed out that it is being made, just not enough for the high demand. Finally I should point out that the prices by the retailers are usually $25.00 per box of 500 rounds. That comes to about five cents per round. This is where price gauging becomes an issue. Many consumers are acquiring these hard to find boxes of ammo and selling them online for $50-$75 dollars per box, or ten to fifteen cents a round. Basically doubling and tripling the price. The Controversial Argument The author writes how unethical re-selling this ammo is. He further writes that when people do this is creates more of an issue. He uses invalid and inaccurate information to support his argument and incorrectly sway the readers. The Rebuttal Dear Mr. “kriscamaro68” In response to your article regarding .22 ammo price gauging: I believe your entire argument lacks credibility. I checked some of your facts and have found them to be outdated or just plan false. For example you say you can purchase ammo at half the cost from Cabelas without paying shipping cost. I have contacted...
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... | | | | | | | | | |Excellent |Very Good |Competent |Fair |Poor | |Content, thesis |Elaborate arguments with |Logical arguments with |Has 2 or more basic |Only one basic argument |No logical argument and no | |support (sources: |advanced example and support |Very good use of specific |arguments with adequate |with minimal supporting |supporting examples or | |paraphrasing/ |use. Balanced use of quotations|examples, elaboration, |evidence support. Majority |evidence. Only quotations, |primarily generalizations. | |quotations) & |and paraphrasing. |paraphrasing. Slight |of references are quotes. |no paraphrasing. |No referencing to original | |arguments | |dependence on quotes. |Some external support. | |or external works. | |Focus on & |Highly focused on topic with |Focused with very good |Generally focused but with |Loose connection of ideas |Frequent use of ideas not | |understanding of |purpose...
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...memorials make up 50% of the total score, a proper presentation of the written arguments, in conformity with the Rules of Procedure, is vital in a competition that is getting more competitive each year. Why such an emphasize on presentation? Is the legal reasoning not the most important issue in this competition? Certainly so, but every participant should realize that also in legal practice, solidly and neatly presented legal documents are a "must". A well-written submission, a logically built-up argument is easier for a judge to understand. He or she is more likely to pick up counsel's line of argument and, hopefully, its submission. Uniformly used editing rules make it easier for a judge to find the documents, referred to in the Memorials and it will be easier for him or her to read through the document in general. A well written and neatly and uniformly presented document will show the judge that effort is being put into the case. Combine that with excellent legal arguments and most judges will at least be willing to listen to your case with an open mind.Clarity and consistency is key. As the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the Krajišnik (18 October 2007) reminds us:''the forcefulness and efficacy of an appeals brief submission does not hinge on the number of words used to support an argument but rather on the clarity and coherence of the argument, an endeavour aided more by succinct reference to legal and...
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...The academic paper Format ■ Introduction ■ Exposition ■ Conclusion The introduction ■ motivate your research question – the problem that you want to look further into ■ present topic and research question. Attract reader’s attention ■ present “problem formulation” ■ Present problem and see to it that it really is a problem (ie the distance between the present situation and a future intended situation) ■ define parameters of analysis “roadmap”: summarise the line of argument Exposition and conclusion ■ an exposition/body should • present all data and analysis • put paragraphs in logical progression – one item per paragraph (use sub headlines to assist reader) • arrange information into paragraphs with ■ Discussion ■ Elaboration ■ Examples ■ Exceptions ■ a conclusion should • pull the bits together • answer your own question clearly ■ Perspectives: • Allowing you to introduce hypotheses that are unsubstantiated so far Structure From general to specific and back to general again Language and style Descriptive vs argumentative language: Examples: ■ Description of eg affirmative action in the US – must be used to argue for/against eg constitutionality ■ Argumentation: claim – support – warrant (Toulmin) • eg: affirmative action is unconstitutional (claim) ...
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...Statement Argument Exercise DIRECTIONS for question 1-20: Each question given below consists of a statement, followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the arguments is a 'strong’ argument and which is a ‘weak' argument. Give answer (1) if only argument I is strong; (2) if only argument II is strong; (3) if either I or II is strong; (4) if neither I nor II is strong and (5) if both I and II are strong. 1. Statement: Should all refugees, who make unauthorized entry into a country, be forced to go back to their homeland ? Arguments : I. Yes. They make their colonies and occupy a lot of land. II. No. They leave their homes because of hunger or some terror and on human grounds, should not be forced to go back. 2. Statement: Should new big industries be started in Mumbai? Arguments : I. Yes. It will create job opportunities. II. No. It will further add to the pollution of the city. 3. Statement: Should government stop spending huge amounts of money on international sports ? Arguments : I. Yes. This money can be utilized for upliftment of the poor. II. No. Sports persons will be frustrated and will not get international exposure. 4. Statement: Should the oil companies be allowed to fix the price of petroleum products depending on market conditions ? ...
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...learning of notes. Command words in essay titles Examiners report that many candidates underperform because they fail to interpret the key words of an essay title. Below is a glossary of some of the most frequently used command words with suggestions for interpretation: 'Account for ...' Explain how a particular event or situation came about i.e. 'Which factors would have led a large retailing company to...' 'Analyse ...' Break down an argument or information into component parts and identify ways in which these parts are related. Always recognise the underlying assumptions. 'Analyse the extent to which ...' Show judgement over the relevant importance of different arguments or events. 'Assess ... 'Make some kind of judgement on the relative importance of a particular aspect of business studies, discussing the influence of other factors or events that influence the topic. 'Compare ...' Describe two or more situations and show the difference and similarities between them. 'Criticise ...' Present a view on a particular argument, point of view or theory, based on the evidence available. 'Define ...' A simple...
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...Unit READING ……………………………………. 2 3 5 Overview exercise ……………………………. Article …………….……………………… Close study exercise ……………………. 4 2 7 WRITING (Argument) ………………............... Suitable Topics for an Argument ……………. Elements of an Argument ……………………. Rational or Emotional Appeal ……………. Dealing with your Opponents ……………. Discovering the Pros & Cons ……………. Organization of an Argument ……………. Strong Argument ……………………. Balanced Argument ……………………. Writing tips ……………………………. Being Concise ……………………………. Using Specific Detail ……………………. 7 7 10 10 11 13 13 16 20 20 23 REMEDIAL WORK Review ………………………... 25 ……………………………………. 25 VOCABULARY ………………………............ 31 Academic Word List (AWL) 6 ……………. 31 Word Formation 4 ................................ 32 PRESENTATIONS ……………………...… 33 Argument ……………………………………. 33 READING The article on the following pages is taken from the Science & Technology page of the BBC website. Dated 19 July 2010, the article expresses one point of view in the continuing debate about GM food, which is a significant part of the biotechnology industry. “GM” stands for “genetically modified.” Exercise 1 Overview Answer the questions below to obtain an overview of the article. Many questions can be answered by reference to the topic sentences. 1. 2. 3. 4. What kind of science does Jonathan Jones specialize in? He is writing in the BBC’s “Green Room.” What is that? Read the article synopsis. What does Professor Jones think about GM food crops? Read the whole of the introductory...
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...scarce resources are allocated, than the arguments made in the article against the establishment of local food production markets seem, at least given my limited economics knowledge, to hold water. As alluded to by the author of the article, the benefits associated with creating such local food production markets would not outweigh the costs. I agree with this basic premise given the arguments made in the article. While there would be benefits associated with creating a local market, the economics of it do not make good financial sense. Economies of Scale come to mind as there is clearly cost per unit of output advantages that our current industrial agriculture system makes possible. That savings is later passed on to society in the form of lower cost goods. Similarly, production efficiency is also realized by our current system as it allows for the higher output of specific crops originating from areas that are better climactically suited to allow for maximum growth/production. What we would be giving up as a society, or stated differently, the opportunity cost associated with moving to a “locavore-like” food production system would be too great to our economy and society. Furthermore, as the author pointed out, the health benefits associated with such a move would be minimal (if any). I cannot imagine any scenario where someone could argue this concept makes sense from an economic/cost perspective. If it is possible to make such as argument, I would be interested in seeing the...
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...C hapter Two: The Basics of Logical Reasoning The Logical Reasoning Section The focus of this book is on the Logical Reasoning section of the LSAT, and each Logical Reasoning section contains a total of 24 to 26 questions. Since you have thirty-five minutes to complete the section, you have an average of approximately one minute and twenty-five seconds to complete each question. Of course, the amount of time you spend on each question will vary with the difficulty of each question and the total number of questions per section. For virtually all students the time constraint is a major obstacle, and as we progress through this book we will discuss time management techniques as well as time-saving techniques that you can employ within the section. The Section Directions Each Logical Reasoning section is prefaced by the following directions: “The questions in this section are based on the reasoning contained in brief statements or passages. For some questions, more than one of the choices could conceivably answer the question. However, you are to choose the best answer; that is, the response that most accurately and completely answers the question. You should not make assumptions that are by commonsense standards implausible, superfluous, or incompatible with the passage. After you have chosen the best answer, blacken the corresponding space on your answer sheet.” On average, you have 1 minute and 25 seconds to complete each question. Because these directions precede...
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...Yiwen Yao ENGL 212 7/14/2015 Original Letter in New York Times: More Than a Celebrity To the Sports Editor: Re “Portraying Bill Bradley, a Star Who Had a Sense of Where He Was,” March 29: As Bradley himself has acknowledged, the pressure of celebrity, to be all things to all people, at an age when most of us are just finding our way, was stifling. One reason he decamped to Oxford was to escape its grasp. I’ve always believed that the hallmark of Bradley’s career is not excellence per se, but his willingness to push beyond mere celebrity, to think for himself and find his own voice. Like Bradley said, “You’re also always working on who you are.” VIVEK VISWANATHAN, Palo Alto, Calif. Premise:” He decamped to Oxford was to escape its grasp.” Conclusion:” The pressure of celebrity, to be all things to all people, at an age when most of us are just finding our way, was stifling.” No argument:” I’ve always believed that the hallmark of Bradley’s career is not excellence per se, but his willingness to push beyond mere celebrity, to think for himself and find his own voice.” Rewrite: More Than a Celebrity To the Sports Editor: Re “Portraying Bill Bradley, a Star Who Had a Sense of Where He Was,” March 29: As Bradley himself has acknowledged, the pressure of celebrity, to be all things to all people, at an age when most of us are just finding our way, was stifling. Because he decamped to Oxford was to escape its grasp. The reason why Bradley said “You’re...
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...HSBC bank, 46 per cent of people see tattoos as ‘self expression’. However, in the UK, 30 per cent of people described them as ‘down-market’, compared with only 7 per cent of those in the US. It must be significant that there is a large number of US A- list celebrities who have tattoos. In the Top Twenty-Five Tattooed Celebrities list, there are fifteen females and eleven males. The top is Angelina Jolie who has at least twelve. Hugh Hefner (the owner of ‘Playboy’) described fourth-placed Jessica Alba as the ‘Sexiest Woman Celebrity in the World’ and she has many tattoos. Obviously, people with tattoos are seen as very attractive. People like David Beckham and Robbie Williams have been responsible for an increase in people wanting tattoos in the UK, but the growth hasn’t been as great as it has been in the US (where 1 in 10 adults has one). This could change, however. Given that in 2103 the UK Prime Minister’s wife had a tattoo (a dolphin on her ankle), this must have contributed to an increase in the number of women having tattoos. The third of the UK population who see tattoos as ‘down-market’ should remember that the upper class used to have them. For example, the Queen’s grandfather and great- grandfather, George V and Edward VII, had them. (Perhaps, secretly, the torso of Prince Charles is covered with Chinese inscriptions, hearts, and raging dragons.) The increase in the number of people having them will make tattoos seem less ‘down-market’. Though 75 per cent of people...
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...Comparing and Contrasting Sample Essay: http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/grammar/writerworkshops/GFW8_WM_compare.pdf WHAT THIS HANDOUT IS ABOUT This handout will help you first to determine whether a particular assignment is asking for comparison/contrast and then to generate a list of similarities and differences, decide which similarities and differences to focus on, and organize your paper so that it will be clear and effective. It will also explain how you can (and why you should) develop a thesis that goes beyond “Thing A and Thing B are similar in many ways but different in others.” INTRODUCTION In your career as a student, you’ll encounter many different kinds of writing assignments, each with its own requirements. One of the most common is the comparison/contrast essay, in which you focus on the ways in which certain things or ideas—usually two of them—are similar to (this is the comparison) and/or different from (this is the contrast) one another. By assigning such essays, your instructors are encouraging you to make connections between texts or ideas, engage in critical thinking, and go beyond mere description or summary to generate interesting analysis: when you reflect on similarities and differences, you gain a deeper understanding of the items you are comparing, their relationship to each other, and what is most important about them. RECOGNIZING COMPARISON/CONTRAST IN ASSIGNMENTS Some assignments use words—like compare, contrast, similarities, and differences—that...
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...quite challenging. Rest assured that the tute preparation load will be significantly lighter once we get to tutorial 5 (or soon after that if you are in a smaller tutorial group) and the tutorial presentations. Until then it’s necessary to do a bit of front loading, so to speak, to get you up and running with the text analysis methodologies which will stand you in good stead later in the semester. Once you have mastered these methodologies there will be significantly less theory and much more of an emphasis on actual journalistic coverage of events, people, issues and trends. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A guide to analysing views journalism Part 1 – characterising arguments by reference to the how they are justified and supported In the first section of these notes we are going to look in a bit more detail at how supporting argumentation (justifications) works to justify primary claims. This material was dealt with in previous tutes and lectures but now we go into more depth – specifically extending the discussion to consider the nature of the warrants which are typically associated with the different types of justification. By attending to warrants in this way it becomes possible to provide telling insights into the author’s persuasive style and into the value system or worldview which is taken for granted...
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