PART A
WEEK 9
QUESTION 1. ―Who Do You Ask What?‖ Read through all of the scenarios listed below.
Students will respond to the following:
o For one (1) of the scenarios, identify the components in the problem.
o Determine the questions that you would ask each component in the scenario in
order to gather enough information to start working on a solution to the problem.
(Note: You don‘t have to offer potential solutions to the problem; at this point,
you simply want to gather information.)
o Explain from where and how you would get more information if you needed it.
1. The president of the campus Alumni Association (who has held the one-year position for
the past four years) has been having a difficult time getting enough alumni to attend the
annual meetings so elections can be held and a new president elected, and she really
wants to step down as president. (Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007. The instructor’s manual for
thinking.)
2. You have been appointed to the County Planning Commission. One of the growing small
towns in the county needs a highway bypass to decrease traffic through its business
district, but the only logical and most direct proposed bypass route takes it through one of
the more affluent residential areas. The threat of increased traffic, congestion, and
pollution has the residents of the neighborhood in an uproar, and the County Treasurer is
also complaining that the proposed route might lead to a decrease in revenue for the
county, since it would cause a decrease in property values in this affluent neighborhood.
(Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007. The instructor’s manual for thinking.)
3. Marcus and Arishonne both work to maintain the standard of living that this couple
desires, but they are unable to meet the time demands of both work and domestic life.
Their job demands do not leave enough time for even the most basic things, like cleaning
the house, taking care of the yard, and generally maintaining their home. They have no
children, and their closest relatives are over 600 miles away. (Kirby & Goodpaster,
2007. The instructor’s manual for thinking.)
4. Although everything was fine five minutes ago, a secretary cannot get her computer to
send a document to the printer. The document must be printed for the meeting her boss
has scheduled to begin in fifteen minutes. (Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007. The instructor’s
manual for thinking.)
QUESTION 2. ―Slowest Horse.‖ Consider this scenario: Mr. Brown and Mr. Green have
argued several times about which one of them has the slowest horse. They have swapped
stories, each telling of the races his horse has lost, but each man also has failed to
convince the other that his horse was the slowest. Students will respond to the following:
o Create the best solution for solving the problem of who owns the slowest horse.
o Explain your reasons for why you believe your solution would solve the two
men‘s problem.
o Describe a dilemma of your own with a problem similar to the one in the
―Slowest Horse‖ scenario.
o Provide a possible solution for at least two (2) other students‘ dilemmas.
WEEK 10
QUESTION 1. ―Quality Thinking.‖ Students will respond to the following:
o Identify at least one (1) factor which is necessary for evaluating the quality of
your thinking.
o Explain why it is significant for an accurate evaluation of your own critical
thinking.
o Explain whether it is easier to evaluate other people‘s thinking than it is to
evaluate your own. Why or why not?
QUESTION 2. ―Saddling Up.‖ John Wayne once said, ―Courage is being scared to death,
but saddling up anyway.‖ Making a decision sometimes truly feels like an act of courage!
Students will respond to the following:
o Describe a decision you need to make that you have been putting off.
o Identify some of the factors causing you to delay making you decision.
o Explain whether you need more information before you decide. If so, what do you
need to know? How can you get this information?
o Evaluate the consequences of deciding wrongly, of delaying, and of not deciding
at all.
o Determine if you can think through the process and make a decision using an
internal monologue.
o Evaluate whether it would help you to dialogue with others about this decision.
o Review at least two (2) other students‘ comments and thoughtfully contribute
ideas which you believe might assist them in making their decisions.
WEEK 11
QUESTION 1
Make It Real.‖ You‘ve spent a whole quarter learning how to think more
critically, and now it is time to reflect back over the course. Students will respond to the
following:
o Identify two (2) or three (3) key concepts or skills you have learned from this
course that you think will be helpful to you in your current or future positions.
o Explain why you believe these concepts or skills will be beneficial to you.
PART B.
ASSIGNMENT 1
Assignment 4: Critical Thinking Paper — Draft and Self-evaluation 2
Once you have completed a draft which presents and defends your position for your chosen
topic, look at your paper and pay careful attention to any arguments that you are using to support
your position. (Note: If there are no arguments, then you have not written an argumentative
paper!)
Self-evaluation
1. On a separate sheet (not part of the paper), identify the premises and conclusion of each
of the arguments in your paper. Most papers will have one overriding argument and then
several smaller arguments which ―prove‖ the truth of the premises you are making in the
larger argument.
2. Look at each of the arguments you have located in your paper. Carefully study them to
see if there are any informal fallacies. If there are any fallacies, note the name of the
fallacy beneath your identified arguments. Explain why each is a fallacy.
3. Carefully examine each of your arguments again. Even if there isn‘t an informal fallacy
present, is each of the individual arguments valid? Do the premises provide enough
evidence to support the conclusion? If you are not sure, try rewriting each argument as
categorical syllogism and then test for validity. Under each argument, identify whether it
is valid or invalid.
4. Explain to your instructor how you intend to change these arguments in your paper in
order to be certain that they are free from fallacies and are perfectly valid.
5. Once you have completed these tasks, continue editing and revising your paper in order
to eliminate the problems that you have just noted and to make it more persuasive.
The self-evaluation should be at least one (1) page, 250 words minimum. The evaluation should
be typed. APA format is not required for the assignment. Include your name and date.
Your self-evaluation will be assessed based on development and completeness in response to the questions.
ASSIGNMENT 2.
Assignment 5: Critical Thinking Paper: Revised
Your paper should present a reasoned, convincing argument for a position on a selected topic.
Write a 4-6 page paper in which you:
1. Follow the five steps of persuasion: establishing credibility, acknowledging the
audience‘s position, constructing a rationale, transplanting root elements, and asking for a
response.
2. Clearly define your position and supporting evidence, including the results of your
survey.
3. Include all the necessary ―evidence‖ for the reader to reach the expected conclusion in
each argument in the paper (whether the overriding argument or one contained in an
individual paragraph)
4. Ensure that each argument in the paper (whether the overriding argument or one
contained in an individual paragraph) is valid and free from both formal and informal
fallacies.
5. Include at least four (4) references (sources). At least one (1) of your sources must be
obtained from the collection of databases accessible from the Learning Resources Center
Web page.
NOTE: FOR ALL THE ASSIGNMENT, paper should follow guidelines for clear and effectively organized writing:
The paper is well-organized, and every explanation is both complete and easy to
understand.
Include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph for the paper.
Main ideas should be addressed in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting
sentences.
Adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.
The paper should be checked for spelling and grammatical errors.
Your assignment must:
Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins
on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check
with your professor for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student‘s name, the
professor‘s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are
not included in the required assignment page length
Why Work with Us
Top Quality and Well-Researched Papers
We always make sure that writers follow all your instructions precisely. You can choose your academic level: high school, college/university or professional, and we will assign a writer who has a respective degree.
Professional and Experienced Academic Writers
We have a team of professional writers with experience in academic and business writing. Many are native speakers and able to perform any task for which you need help.
Free Unlimited Revisions
If you think we missed something, send your order for a free revision. You have 10 days to submit the order for review after you have received the final document. You can do this yourself after logging into your personal account or by contacting our support.
Prompt Delivery and 100% Money-Back-Guarantee
All papers are always delivered on time. In case we need more time to master your paper, we may contact you regarding the deadline extension. In case you cannot provide us with more time, a 100% refund is guaranteed.
Original & Confidential
We use several writing tools checks to ensure that all documents you receive are free from plagiarism. Our editors carefully review all quotations in the text. We also promise maximum confidentiality in all of our services.
24/7 Customer Support
Our support agents are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week and committed to providing you with the best customer experience. Get in touch whenever you need any assistance.
Try it now!
How it works?
Follow these simple steps to get your paper done
Place your order
Fill in the order form and provide all details of your assignment.
Proceed with the payment
Choose the payment system that suits you most.
Receive the final file
Once your paper is ready, we will email it to you.
Our Services
No need to work on your paper at night. Sleep tight, we will cover your back. We offer all kinds of writing services.
Essays
No matter what kind of academic paper you need and how urgent you need it, you are welcome to choose your academic level and the type of your paper at an affordable price. We take care of all your paper needs and give a 24/7 customer care support system.
Admissions
Admission Essays & Business Writing Help
An admission essay is an essay or other written statement by a candidate, often a potential student enrolling in a college, university, or graduate school. You can be rest assurred that through our service we will write the best admission essay for you.
Reviews
Editing Support
Our academic writers and editors make the necessary changes to your paper so that it is polished. We also format your document by correctly quoting the sources and creating reference lists in the formats APA, Harvard, MLA, Chicago / Turabian.
Reviews
Revision Support
If you think your paper could be improved, you can request a review. In this case, your paper will be checked by the writer or assigned to an editor. You can use this option as many times as you see fit. This is free because we want you to be completely satisfied with the service offered.