Overview
In Milestone One, you drafted the Introduction section and Parts A, B, and C of the Primary Argument section of your final project, the critical essay.
For Milestone Two, you will complete a draft of Parts D and E of the Primary Argument and the Counterargument sections of your critical essay. This work will help you to further establish your final project. The more rigor and detail that you put into addressing each question, the more you will set yourself up for success on the final project.
A counterargument, by definition, is an argument put forth to “counter” an argument already made. More specifically, a counterargument will be an argument whose premises lead to a conclusion that is “counter” to the conclusion of the original argument.
Sometimes the original argument is one that is in fact a “good” argument. In other words, upon carrying out an analysis of the argument, it is found to be either inductive, strong, and cogent or deductive, valid, and sound. If the argument is “good,” you likely cannot easily provide an equally “good” counterargument. You can give thought, however, to various facets of the issue under question that may have not been addressed or were inadequately addressed by the original argument. You can then construct an alternative argument to the original argument, focusing on the previously unconsidered facets of the issue. The alternative argument will broaden the focus, raise new and related issues, or provide an alternative perspective on the topic under discussion.
Direction
Complete a draft of Parts D and E of the Primary Argument section. Use course materials on knowledge, experts, evidence, bias, and credibility from Modules Three and Four.
Before drafting the Counterargument section of your critical essay, read the articles listed under “Additional Resources” and “Scholarly Resources” found on the Final Project Topics and Resources page in Brightspace. Then, use these additional resources to craft your own alternative or counterargument to the argument presented in the Primary Argument Article.
Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:
- Primary Argument: Explore the position advanced in your Primary Argument Article.
- Explain how the argument contains or avoids bias.
- Provide specific examples to support your observations.
- Assess the credibilityof the overall argument using the Hierarchy of Reliability and CRAAPO.
- Were the resources used to support the argument credible or scholarly? Why, or why not?
- Does the credibility of the resources support or undermine the article’s claims? How?
- Counterargument: Craft a counter or alternative argument to the argument presented in the Primary Argument Article for your chosen topic. You will support this position with the critical thinking skills you’ve learned throughout the course. Note: Your counterargument is not a reflection of your personal opinion in this matter.
- Provide the argument details of your counterargument to the Primary Argument Article. Submit the claim that you are making in your alternative argument.
- List at least two premises and a conclusion for your created argument.
- Support your counterargument with evidence using the provided resources in the Additional Resources and Scholarly Resources sections found on the Final Project Topics and Resources page.
- Explain the logic and reasoning used to advance the counterargument. In your response, address the following:
- Identify the argument as inductive or deductive, explaining why.
- Assess the argument for its strength and cogency (if inductive) or validity and soundness (if deductive).
- Identify any weaknesses or gaps requiring additional research or support.
- Explain how the counterargument contains or avoids bias. Provide specific examples to support your explanation.
What to Submit
Submit assignment as a 2- to 3-page Microsoft Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Sources should be cited using APA guidelines.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Critical Essay
This assignment asks you to expand on the work you’ve already done in Milestone One by completing the Primary Argument and Counterargument sections for your critical essay. Let’s break down each part so you can effectively draft your essay.
Step 1: Review Your Work So Far
Before diving into this milestone, review what you’ve already completed for your Primary Argument section (Parts A, B, and C). These are foundational for Parts D and E, which you will now complete. Understanding your current argument and the evidence you’ve used will give you a strong starting point for the next steps.
Step 2: Completing Part D of the Primary Argument – Bias
In Part D, you need to explain how the argument in your Primary Argument Article contains or avoids bias. Here’s how you can approach it:
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Identify any bias: Look at your Primary Argument Article and consider whether the author is showing any biases. Bias can appear in the selection of evidence, framing of issues, or language used.
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Example: If the author uses selective data to support their claim while ignoring contradictory evidence, that could show bias.
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Example: Look for emotionally charged language that appeals to readers’ feelings rather than logic.
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Provide specific examples: Find concrete instances in the article where bias appears, or where bias is avoided. If the author presents a balanced view and considers opposing perspectives, that would be an example of avoiding bias.
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Example: The article may show bias if it only quotes experts from a single viewpoint without considering those who oppose the argument.
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Step 3: Completing Part E of the Primary Argument – Credibility Assessment
In Part E, you’ll assess the credibility of the argument using frameworks like the Hierarchy of Reliability and CRAAPO.
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Evaluate the resources: Using the CRAAPO method (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose, and Objectivity), assess whether the resources cited in the Primary Argument Article are scholarly and reliable.
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Example: If the author uses outdated or biased sources, this could undermine the argument’s credibility. If they rely on peer-reviewed journals and reputable experts, this strengthens the argument.
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Support or undermine the article’s claims: After evaluating the credibility, explain how the sources used in the article support or weaken its claims.
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Example: A credible source may back up the article’s points, while a questionable source might introduce doubt into the argument.
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Step 4: Crafting the Counterargument
The next step is to craft your counterargument. This part requires you to create a new argument that challenges the Primary Argument Article you’ve reviewed. Here’s how to approach this:
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Identify the main points of the original argument: Understand the key ideas and conclusions of the Primary Argument Article. Then, focus on any areas where the argument might be weak or incomplete.
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Create your counterargument:
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Premises: List two premises (supporting points) that lead to your conclusion.
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Example: If the Primary Argument focuses on AI’s positive impact on creativity, your counterargument might claim that AI stifles creativity by relying on predetermined algorithms rather than human spontaneity.
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Conclusion: State the claim your counterargument makes.
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Example: AI technology should be used cautiously in creative fields to avoid limiting human innovation.
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Support your counterargument with evidence: Use the provided scholarly resources to back up your counterargument.
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Example: If arguing that AI limits creativity, cite articles showing how reliance on algorithms can suppress novel ideas.
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Step 5: Explaining the Logic and Reasoning Behind Your Counterargument
Next, explain the logic behind your counterargument:
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Inductive or Deductive: Identify if your counterargument is inductive (based on probability and evidence) or deductive (based on valid reasoning leading to a sound conclusion).
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Inductive: You may argue that most people in creative fields find AI tools stifling, which makes it probable that AI reduces creativity in those industries.
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Deductive: If you argue that all AI tools follow rigid algorithms, and rigid algorithms limit creativity, then it follows that AI limits creativity.
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Assess strength and validity: Evaluate how strong and valid your argument is:
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Strength: If it’s inductive, is there sufficient evidence to make the argument convincing?
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Validity: If it’s deductive, is the reasoning sound, and does the conclusion logically follow from the premises?
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Weaknesses or gaps: Are there any gaps in your counterargument that need more research or evidence? Identify any weaknesses.
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Example: If your counterargument lacks data on how AI affects creativity in specific industries, note this as an area for further exploration.
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Step 6: Bias in the Counterargument
Finally, address how your counterargument contains or avoids bias:
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Avoiding bias: Ensure that your counterargument is logical and evidence-based, rather than emotional or selective.
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Example: Avoid using extreme language or focusing only on negative aspects of AI without considering its potential benefits.
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Bias in your argument: If your counterargument does show bias (e.g., only considering one side of the issue), point that out and be prepared to strengthen your argument by adding balanced perspectives.
Step 7: Proofreading and Refining Your Draft
Once you’ve completed the Primary Argument and Counterargument sections:
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Review your work for clarity, logical flow, and coherence. Ensure your premises and conclusions are clear and well-supported.
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Check APA citations: Make sure you’re citing all sources properly in APA format.