Dear All,
In Week 5, we are beginning to prepare for the argumentative essay assignment. It’s all about opposing viewpoints, analyzing arguments, and developing your own opinion on a given topic. Please review the reading on arguments (Activity 2), and take notes on the key terms: conclusion and premises. Note that the term “conclusion” does not, in this case, mean the concluding/ final part, but rather, in critical thinking, it’s a claim/ argument.
In Conversation 5, I ask that you identify the conclusion and premises in two sources: a TEDTalk on happiness and one of the relevant articles. Be sure to use the words conclusion and premises as you analyze the sources.
There is also an extra credit assignments on argument–optional. And an assessment on arguments (Activity 8) which consists of only 1 question.
By the way, Conversation 4 already looks interesting!
I hope you are having a productive week,
Prof. Barnes
One thought on “Week 5 Begins”
During the TED Talk, Mr. Schwartz’s conclusion or overview of the claim” The secret of happiness”. he makes is ” Not to set or have high expectations”. One premise that he mentions also that I highly agree with is the choices people make. He presents the ideal link between people’s expectations and depression.” people have experiences that are disappointing because their standards are so high”. Mr. Schwarts adds on by saying everyone needs a fish bowl, meaning to me that we can have the mindset of “we can do anything” . Yes, we can but not everything we do is good for us.