Discussion 1: What Is an Argument?
Prepare
As you prepare to write your first discussion this week, take a few moments to do the following:
• Read "An Introduction to Argument."
• Read the sample essay, "Flag Burning."
Reflect
Before drafting your initial post, take time to reflect on the idea of argument in an academic setting. Think about your own natural communication style and your typical behavior in an argument. Are you typically calm and logical when making an argument? Do you tend to appeal to emotion? Do you often get frustrated when trying to prove your point? Think critically about your personal communication style and its effectiveness in an academic setting.
Write
In 200 to 300 words, describe argument in your own words. Include the roles of the four basic elements of an argument in your description. Give an example of an argument you have experienced and identify the claims, evidence, counterargument, and rebuttal used.
• If you cannot think of an example from your own life, you may analyze the persuasive student paper, Flag Burning, from the Ashford Writing Center instead. You must identify claims, evidence, counterarguments, and rebuttals present in the student paper.
• Be sure to include any questions or confusion you have regarding rhetoric, argument, and the Classic/Rogerian styles.
Respond to Peers
In 125 to 200 words each, respond to at least two classmates. In each response, address your classmate's questions and concerns with information from class and your own research or web search. Then, analyze your classmate's description of argument and provide additional information or share examples of the basic elements of an argument.
Discussion 2: Argument, Keyword, and Thesis Statement Workshop
Prepare
As you prepare to write your second discussion for this week, be sure to complete the following:
• Read Chapters 1, 3, 4.2, and Appendix A in the textbook.
• Read "Research Paper Guidelines."
• Read "An Introduction to Argument."
• Review the Ashford University Library's Nitty gritty: Generating keywords tutorial.
• Review the Ashford University Library's Quick ‘n' dirtytutorial.
• Review the grading rubric for this discussion.
Reflect
Before drafting your initial post, take time to reflect on the approved research topics for your final paper. Considering the information in this week's instructor guidance and readings, choose the research topic that suits you best. Choose a topic that is interesting, has a clear argument, and allows you to remain objective. We will be using research and logic to support our arguments in this class. It may be difficult to remain objective if you feel emotionally or spiritually connected to the subject.
Write
In 200 to 300 words, share your chosen research topic for this class and write a few sentences on each of the following:
• Share the kind of argument you hope to make and why.
• Identify five to ten keywords for your library research and explain your choices.
• Write a single-sentence thesis statement for your research paper and compare it to the "Thesis Checklist."
• Include any areas of confusion or questions you have for the class and/or your instructor.
Respond to Peers
In 125 to 200 words each, respond to at least two classmates. Provide feedback on any area of confusion and answer any questions your classmate has posted. Support your responses with information from the course materials (including the textbook), instructor guidance, articles, Ashford University Library, and Ashford Writing Center. Be sure to include
• A detailed explanation of why you agree (or disagree) with your classmate's chosen style of argument for the research paper topic chosen.
• Suggestions for additional library search keywords for your classmate's research paper topic.
• An analysis of your classmate's thesis statement according to the textbook, the Ashford Writing Center, and other course materials.
Make every effort to read all posts and responses in this discussion. You are strongly encouraged to follow up with classmates who have responded to your post. As always, you may respond to more than two classmates if you choose.
Quiz
Question 1.
Which of the following BEST describes the primary goal of a research project?
To prove your idea is the best
To bring a conversation to a close
To win a debate on an issue
To push a conversation forward
Question 2.
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a thesis?
To respond to one or more researchers' positions
To prove a point
To present a straightforward definition of the topic
To cite relevant evidence to support your argument
Question 3.
When you contribute to a research conversation, which of the following skills is NOT strictly necessary?
Demonstrating careful thinking and attentive reading
Presenting the only voice of original ideas and research
Reviewing the work of others
Drawing inferences and conclusions based on credible evidence
Question 4.
Researchers are LEAST likely to want to know which of the following from their sources?
How other researchers have framed their questions
What existent data proved useful in previous research
Popular opinions on their topic
False starts other researchers have taken
Question 5.
Scholarly work guarantees all of the following characteristics, EXCEPT:
Credible arguments
Accurate information not subject to debate
Criticism of other researchers' work
Important methods used to interpret evidence
Question 6.
A keyword search in the library's databases functions exactly like a regular Google web search.
True
False
Question 7.
To assess research needs, a researcher should begin with WHICH ONE of the following elements?
Develop an initial set of research questions
Review theories relevant to the research question
Find background, exhibit, argument, and method (BEAM) sources
Write a draft of the thesis statement
Question 8.
To meet research deadlines, which of the following criteria is MOST useful?
Open-ended research questions
Expertise in the field of study
A narrow focus
A broad view of a topic
Question 9.
What is the best way to describe the concept of a "community of thinkers"?
Insistence of the truth of one's own beliefs on a subject
Exchange and contribution of ideas among critical thinkers
Discussion within groups of like-minded individuals
Heated debates where one side clearly wins the argument
Question 10.
Which of the following is NOT considered a viable criterion for evaluating sources?
Credibility
Relevance of subject matter
Ease with which it was found online
Expertise of author
Question 11.
When starting your search for peer reviewed scholarly sources, which of the following types of databases is your BEST choice?
A subject-specific database
A field-specific database
A general-purpose database
A basic Google search
Question 12.
Course textbooks are useful resources for all of the following reasons, EXCEPT:
They provide a short overview of the topic.
They help researchers understand the specialized language of a field.
They feature the most recent academic debates on the topic.
They give readers a general sense of the important topics in the field.
Question 13.
Which of the following DOES NOT describe a characteristic of news, trade, and popular sources?
They may be subject to editorial review or review by industry practitioners.
They make assertions without always providing readers with verification of evidence.
They are written primarily to educate or entertain.
They use a broad citation system to document sources.
Question 14.
Which of the following is NOT a reason why student researchers often struggle to find resources?
They discover that no resources exist on their topic of interest.
They search randomly for general information.
They are unfamiliar with Google Scholar and other library databases.
They are unaware of differences between academic and popular sources.
Question 15.
When writing a thesis paragraph, you should AVOID
explaining the significance of your thesis.
claiming other authors' ideas as your own.
establishing your own perspective in a scholarly debate.
articulating your thesis as a response to established research.
Question 16.
Researchers understand that their research may provide the following element for future generations:
The final and definitive answer to a problem
Absolute truth
The end of the need for research on the subject
Extension, revision, or refutation of their work
Question 17.
Which of the following is UNLIKELY to help the reader find BASIC information on a topic?
Consulting encyclopedias
Referring to subject guides
Reading dictionaries
Searching academic databases
Question 18.
Choose the best thesis statement.
People should always keep their dogs restrained because it is the law.
Although dogs require exercise for optimal health, owners should always keep their dogs restrained to protect the animal from accidental injury and the public from attack.
Dogs are animals and not fashion accessories so they should be allowed to run free.
Question 19.
The majority of your research should be conducted
via the World Wide Web.
via Ashford Library databases.
via the Google search engine.
via the Bing search engine.
Question 20.
The concept of "search construction" allows researchers to do all of the following, EXCEPT:
Find synonyms for key words
Identify potential search terms
Specify relationships between key terms
Keep their searches as broad as possible
Assignment: Annotated Bibliography
An annotated bibliography begins the preliminary research process. The document will serve as an ongoing list of sources that will support your Final Research Paper. Each of the sources should be cited in APA format (for help, click on APA Formatting Instructions for Microsoft Word) and should include a two-paragraph summary, or annotation, of the resource contents and how you intend to use the information within your paper. Be sure to utilize the information from this week's Argument and Thesis Workshop discussion, and refer to "Research Paper Guidelines" for additional support. Before beginning, please review theModel Annotated Bibliography.
To fulfill the research component of this assignment, you must:
• Conduct several searches using any of the databases in the Ashford University Library.
• Select at least five scholarly peer-reviewed sources from your library search that support the topics and arguments you plan to present in your Final Research Paper.
To fulfill the written component of this assignment, you must:
• Include a title page that is formatted in proper APA style.
• List APA-style references in alphabetical order along with your unique paragraph summaries.
o Annotation paragraphs must be original and cannot be copied from abstracts or other summaries. Copied-and-pasted annotations may receive a zero grade.
• Format your assignment according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Your annotated bibliography should be double-spaced with one-inch margins and use 12-point Times New Roman font.
Your annotations should contain
• A complete summary, in your own words, of the information presented in the article.
• Your analysis of the best use of this information in your paper, written in your own words.
• Identification of a possible topic sentence and/or claim the information will support.
The bibliography must be 500 to 700 words in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.