Length: 1000 words (not including heading and works cited) Assignment Now you kn

Length: 1000 words (not including heading and works cited)
Assignment
Now you know what you want to write about for your final research paper. But against whom are you arguing? Whom are you trying to convince? And do you understand the criticisms and objections that will be made against your argument?
It’s all too easy to just dismiss the ideas of those with whom you disagree. But in civil society that doesn’t help us form a consensus. Refusal to understand each other leaves people on different sides of an issue polarized.
A fully developed academic argument is a dialogue between many different voices. Not just “some people” or “many people,” but real flesh and blood individuals, organizations, and stakeholders who care about this issue just as much as you do. You need to demonstrate that you understand their side of the argument, even if you disagree.
There’s a tactical reason for this: understanding the arguments and evidence of the opposition will allow you to refute them with authority in your final paper.
But there’s also an ethical reason: giving consideration to the ideas of your opponent will enrich your own point of view, will help you understand all of the issues, and will demonstrate that you are thoughtful and compassionate.
In this paper, you will take up the *best* arguments and evidence presented by your opponents and you will consider those ideas fully and fairly. Don’t attack, don’t insult. Evaluate judiciously. Which points are fair, which are not, and how will you bridge the divide?
Instructions
In this paper, you will take up the argument, evidence, and support of a position that you do not agree with; it may be the exact opposite of what you believe, or it may simply be a different policy proposal than the one you plan to make.
Find at least two articles that support or summarize in detail a position different from the position you will be arguing in the final paper. Explain the possible objections to your argument.
Answer the following questions: Who, specifically and precisely, is on the other side of this debate? Name names. Who are their experts and whom do they represent? What are their claims? What are their warrants? How do they refute the evidence of your argument? What appeals to character, emotion, and reason (ethos, pathos, and logos) do they make? What are their proposed actions and why do they differ from your own?
You will need to consider their best evidence honestly and in great detail and you will need to explain their conclusions fairly. What are the main reasons why someone would object to your own position? You must specifically engage two or three HIGH-QUALITY sources, at least one of which must be authored by someone you disagree with.
Summarize, evaluate, and analyze the other side, but don’t attack them. For now, just focus on trying to understand their point of view. In the final paper, you will respond to these arguments in a more full-throated way.
Include a helpful, original title. Include a works cited.
Some Guidelines:
· All papers need to support arguments with evidence. All evidence must be cited in-text. All papers must have a works cited.
· A paper between 90-100% of the length requirement will be docked ten points. A paper between 80-90% of the length requirement will be docked 20 points, etc.
· All papers must have an original and helpful title. Failure to include a helpful and original title will automatically result in ten points off the final paper grade. I like puns.
· Do not quote excessively. There’s very rarely a reason to quote more than 2 or 3 sentences at a time. Excessive quotation will not count toward the length requirement.
· ABSOLUTELY DO NOT waste time on broad generalities – be as precise as possible ABOUT THESE SPECIFIC ISSUES. (I will barf if I read a paper that includes the phrase “Since the dawn of time…” or “Humans have always…”)
· Carefully proofread and edit your paper several times. Poor writing, sloppy spelling, and inaccurate citations will automatically lower your grade.