I have this essay to do. It needs to be in response to the Edmund Burke's article. I need to write my point of view as which needs to be controversial to Burke's point of view and i also need to show an evidence for why my point of view is better than Burke's point of view. The essay needs to have 4-5 pages(11- Times New Roman).Section Essay Assignment

 

Overview

In this course you will produce two short essays that are intended to allow you to show your mastery over the material in sections two and three of the course as well as your progress on the learning outcomes described in the syllabus.  You will select a topic covered in the additional required readings (i.e. readings other than those in the Heywood text) for each section and write an essay that articulates your own position on that issue.  Did you agree or disagree with the conclusions presented?  Why?  What is the logic that leads you to your reading of the issue and why should anyone else find it persuasive?  Be sure to select an article from the appropriate sections for each essay. 

You must write an essay in reaction to one of the additional required readings for sections two and three.

You may not write your essay in response to the Heywood  text.

These essays are primarily intended as an opportunity for you to construct your own position on the issues you choose.  As such, you are not allowed to reference sources from outside of this course.  However, you are expected to construct logical, analytical, and persuasive arguments for the positions you choose.  

Evidence

You must support your position with evidence that would be credible to a skeptical reader.  However, keep in mind that there are different forms of evidence.  Be sure the kind of evidence you select is appropriate for the argument you are making in your essay.

Empirical Evidence

Empirical evidence is observable or finite evidence.  You might think of this kind of evidence as “facts” that can be determined with reasonable certainty by observation.  For example, if you argue that 50% of Americans are male you are asserting a fact that can be observed with reasonable certainty.  This kind of argument must be supported by evidence of such an observation by a creditable source and that source must be accurately cited.  Creditable sources in academia include peer reviewed journals, books from academic presses, published governmental or academic data (e.g. data from the U.S. Census Bureau), and reputable news outlets.  Wikipedia, Ask.com, or opinion blogs are evidence of nothing other than the opinion of the writer.  In academic writing, there is no such thing as “common knowledge” or an “obvious fact”.  If it is a fact, it must be accurately sourced.

Because you may not use outside research for this assignment, this kind of evidence will be largely out of your reach.  Unless it is some kind of “fact” derived from assigned readings, you may not make reference to it or use it to support your argument.  If you do use this kind of evidence from material available in class, please be aware that it must be accurately cited in the Chicago in-line author/date style and that you must include a Works Cited page with your paper.

Analytical or Logical Evidence

Analytical evidence is evidence that is the result of logical analysis that need not be supported by empirical observation.  You might think of this as evidence that establishes the logical veracity of something prior to any empirical observation.  Mathematics provides one kind of analytical evidence where 1 + 1 = 2 as an abstract concept that need not be proven empirically to be valid.  Logic provides another.  The syllogism:

Premise 1:  All men are mortal

Premise 2:  Socrates is a man

Conclusion:  Socrates is mortal

Is logically true even without the observation of Socrates’ death (and he is dead, BTW) as long at premises one and two are both are true.  This kind of evidence is credible insofar as the premises are true or believed to be true.  While you need not provide citations for this kind of argument, you must make some effort to establish the truth of the premises.

Anecdotal or Hearsay Evidence

This is the weakest of the forms of evidence acceptable in the social sciences and should be avoided whenever possible.  This evidence generalizes a single (or small, unscientific sample) observation to assert a general truth.  Usually it is rooted in some personal experience and is, thus, not replicable or even challengeable by the reader.  For example, I may have once had a discussion with a man that led me to conclude that he was irrational.  If I were to use this as evidence of the universal irrationality of men I would be making an argument from an over- generalized anecdote with an unscientific sample.  Another example of this kind of evidence would be if I were to argue that racism is not a problem in our society because my friends and I are not racist.  Here I am making a general statement derived not from replicable and testable evidence but from my subjective experience of my own social group.  I expect you to both trust my observations and join me in the generalization of my experience.  This kind of evidence is tempting but ultimately not adequate.

Pay particular attention to the types of evidence appropriate to your argument and be sure that you are not relying on inappropriate evidence.  We will discuss evidentiary standards in class.  If you are unclear about what constitutes the “best” available evidence for you paper, please ask during class.

Essay Elements

Your essay will consist of several elements, all of which must be present for a satisfactory grade.  

Thesis Statement

Every essay must include a thesis statement that both states your position on the issue at and foreshadows the reasoning behind your position.  All good thesis statements include some kind of “because” statement.  For example if you were to write on the relationship between power and force, your thesis statement might be something like: “ I believe that the use of force is an extension of the possession of power because only those actors who are confident in their power can take the risks associated with the use of force.”

Definition of Operative Terms

In any debate it is important that the terms of that debate be clearly defined.  In this case, I will be looking for clear definitions of the terms that are subject to debate in your issue area.  In the example above, it is important that you clearly articulate the definitions of words like “power” and “force.”

Delineation of the Debate

In this element of your essay you will be summarizing the argument to which you are reacting; in this example my contention is that the use of force is indicative of a failure of power.  For your essay you will need to carefully indentify, describe, and use evidence from the text to explicate the specific areas of disagreement or extension on which you will focus your essay. 

Analysis and Argumentation

The final element of your essay will detail the logic of your own position in a persuasive way.  If you are disagreeing with a point made in the readings or lecture you will need to pay particular attention to constructing an argument that would be persuasive to someone taking the opposite view.  If you are agreeing with and extending an argument you will need to be clear about how your analysis makes the prior point more persuasive.

Technical Requirements

These essays must be typed, double spaced, with the pages numbered and stapled together.  Papers need to be in a common font (Times Roman, Ariel) and in a normal presentation size (11 or 12 points).  You must include a cover page with your essay with your name.  Your name or other identifying information must appear nowhere else in your paper.

Essays must be from 3 to 5 pages in length, not counting the title page or works cited page. 

Citations and bibliographic references must be in the Chicago in-line author/date style.  A description of this style is available at the “links” section of this course via MetroConnect. 

Essays not meeting these technical requirements may not be accepted or will have their grades reduced at my discretion and depending on the severity of the failure to meet the technical requirements.

Grading Criteria

Your essays will be graded on the following criteria:

Quality of Delineation of Debate---------------------35%

Quality of Analysis and Argumentation-------------35%

Quality of Presentation and Writing-----------------20%

Adherence to Technical Requirements------------10%

 

 

 

 

Conclusions

If you have any questions about the construction of these essays or would like help in selecting topics, do not hesitate to ask.  As we get closer to the due date it will be increasingly difficult for us to find the time to meet so please get started earlier rather than later.

Remember that all assigned material must be handed to me in person on or before the date that it is due.  I cannot accept e-mail submissions, papers stuffed under my door, or presented as interpretive dances.  Please plan accordingly.

Attachments:

• 1497001185-135328_2_Burke1791.pdf