UNIV 1212: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
FALL 2013
Assignment 2
Textbook Chapter Analysis
(10%=Group Written Report)
Purpose of Assignment
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This is a group assignment. Each group consists of 2-3 students. The group
members will write a three to four-page report on their chapter topic.
This assignment will help students understand the argumentation process
involved in critical thinking. This assignment will also help students recognize
key features and concepts in particular aspects of argumentation. Finally, it
will help them strengthen their team work skills and ability to work effectively
within a group.
Objectives
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To help students identify the many aspects of the argumentation process
To help students research theory underlying the argumentation process
To help students understand key terms and concepts involved in
argumentation
To help recognize case studies within the argumentation process
Instructional Media: Tools and Resources
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Students will use the BlackBoard technology for submitting their work.
The main resource will be the textbook by Inch & Warnick. Students will also
be directed to online articles, reports, and different resources that will assist
them in understanding the argumentation process.
Students will be provided with online articles, reports, and different resources
that will assist them in understanding the structure of an argument. Students
will be provided in-class time one week before the assignment is due in order
to discuss in groups and search online for additional required resources.
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The Topics
Your group will complete the assignment based on one of the textbook chapters
listed below. Your group will be assigned one of these chapters in class. You
should then become familiar with it as soon as possible.
Argument and Critical Thought
Co-orientational View of Argument
Argument Cultures and Ethics
Claims and Propositions
Evidence
Reasoning
Communicating Arguments
Argument Analysis and Criticism
Case Construction and Arguing about Facts
Arguing about Values
Arguing about Policies
(chapter 1)
(chapter 2)
(chapter 3)
(chapter 4)
(chapter 5)
(chapter 6)
(chapter 7)
(chapter 8)
(chapter 9)
(chapter 10)
(chapter 11)
Requirements
1. Maximum group size of 3 students
2. The report must use your own language. You are not permitted to cut and
paste any sentences from the textbook.
3. The report must:
 have a cover page
 have an Assessment Rubric
 use Times New Romans or Arial, font size: 12
 have a space of 1.5 between lines,
 be 4 full pages of text in length
 start each paragraph with a topic sentence
 be written in the third person (do not use “I” or “my” or “our” or “we”)
 full sentences (and no bullet points)
3. The report must use the following headings:
NOTE: Reasoning (chapter 6) is used below to illustrate how to organize
your report headings. Students must place their own topic in the
headings.
Chapter 6 - Reasoning
Introduction
2
Contains thesis statement, states why chapter topic is important in critical
thinking and argumentation, outlines the body topics. (8 lines)
Critical Thinking and Communication
Define critical thinking and describe how these two terms are related. (10
lines)
The Importance of Reasoning in Argumentation
Define the chapter topic and justify its importance in the field of
argumentation. (10 lines)
Key Concepts in Reasoning
Define 5 concepts in your chapter topic. Also, give a clear example for each
concept. (1 page)
Case Study involving Reasoning in Argumentation
Discuss a case study in your chapter. Outline the scenario, claims, reasoning,
and evidence. Also, mention any of the concepts in the case study relevant to
your chapter. (1 page)
Conclusion
Restate the thesis statement, include a summary of the key points from the
body paragraphs, and say how these key points justify the importance of the
chapter topic in critical thinking and argumentation (8 lines)
Submission Criteria
Date Due:
Post on BlackBoard before 11:59 PM on
Saturday, 12th of October, 2013.
Where to place soft copies:
‘Assignments’ in BlackBoard
Who must submit assignment:
Each person must post the assignment on
BlackBoard
Where to deliver hard copies:
1 hard copy per group in class
The following piece of info must appear on the cover page:
UNIV 1212: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Dr. Runna Alghazo
Section XXX
Names:
IDs:
Majors:
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Assignment 2: Textbook Chapter Analysis (10%)
Assessment Criteria
CRITERIA
Assessment Rubric for Group Written Report
SCORES
Introduction
Thesis statement, why chapter topic is important, outline body
topics
3%
Critical thinking and
communication
Define what these terms mean, describe how they are related
3%
Importance in
argumentation
Introduce your topic by defining the topic and justify its
importance in the field of argumentation
3%
Key concepts
Define 5 concepts with examples
5%
Case study
Discuss case study in chapter. Outline scenario, claims, evidence,
concepts relevant to chapter
Thesis statement, summary of key points from the body
paragraphs, how key points justify importance of chapter topic
5%
Punctuation and spelling and capitalization are correct, words are
well chosen, writer uses own words, use of headings, topic
sentences, third person, full sentences, no bullet points, follows
guidelines
3%
Conclusion
Mechanics
TOTAL
3%
25%
Notes about Scoring
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The score is converted into an assessment score out of 10% by dividing the
above score by 2.5
Late Assignments
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No late assignments are accepted. Late assignments will receive 0%
marks.
Your assignment must be on BlackBoard on the due date before the start of
class.
Also, a hard copy of your assignment must be given to me in class on the due
date.
There are NO exceptions to these rules.
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