Watch  the video” Maybe I’m Wrong About Gun: A Live Debate”

Objective: To complete an essay project that involves applying the reasoning and critical thinking skills you have acquired in the context of critically commenting on a debate/conversation wherein two (or more) viewpoints are argued respectively.

1) Watch the recorded video debate above.

2) Pay attention to one or two (no more than two) specific arguments that you find yourself disagreeing with or find somewhat weak and in need of refinement. Monitor how the various parties exchange criticisms pertaining to that argument(s).

3) Write up your results in a 2+ page essay that incorporate the principles you have learned in this course.

Content of Essay: Here are some specific instructions about what to include in your essay:

1) Summarize how the specific argument(s) were discussed in the presentation. Be sure to exercise charity in how you present the argument(s) and its noted criticisms.

2) Offer up a personal commentary on why you think the argument(s) was either not convincing or was not as strong as it could be. Be sure to integrate the relevant principles addressed in this course in your commentary.

Example: “I disagree with Mr. Smith’s argument where he says, ‘The law says that insane people should not be punished; and it is obvious that anyone who murders must be insane. So, murderers should be treated in mental wards, not punished.’ It looks like Mr. Smith is equivocating on the word ‘insane’ where it means something like ‘legally insane’ in the first premise; but then it means something more like ‘abnormally cruel’ in the second premise.

Mechanics: Here are the instructions for how to manifest your essay:

1) Feel free to utilize any of the essay-writing formats, such as MLA or APA. I recognize that the different disciplines students major in tend to emphasize one type over another.

2) The format of the document is to be in .doc or .docx (i.e. Microsoft Word). If you are unable to create this file type, be sure to inquire about what would be an acceptable alternative.

2) There must be a title page that consists of a title and your name (any other information is optional). Accordingly, there is to be no headers or titles or any other redundant marks of identification in the body of the essay (all of this should already be on the title page).

3) The essay is to be double-spaced and typed in a 12-point font. You may use any reasonable font such as Ariel, Helvetica, Times New Roman, or Calibri. (Be sure to ask if you wish to use another font that is more unconventional).

3) Since this is not a research paper, it is not important to include a bibliography unless you cite material outside of the video content. If you do cite external material, be sure to include it either as an end note or as a bibliography.