Counterarguments
In M1: Assignment 2, you identified and explained the weakest or strongest argument in a set of articles. You identified the premises and conclusions, discussed whether or not an inference was warranted, and discussed matters of truth and consistency within the specified subject.
Review your work in M1: Assignment 2 where you analyzed the sets of articles assigned to you.
Using these articles, complete the following:
Provide your position on the issue in the articles assigned to you. State and explain a key objection to your position on this issue. Despite the objection, develop a counterargument to defend your position. (This will likely be an “engulf-and-devour” argument.) You may use the M1: Assignment 2 readings as sources for evidence and facts. Be sure to do the following:
Use additional references to support your arguments and provide evidence as needed. Use key language and phrases suggested in your readings. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Write your initial response in 200–300 words in this assignment be sure to draw upon the articles we discussed in Module 1:
Option 1 (“Ashley X”)
Set A – articles by Lewis & Singer
Remember that a counterargument will have the following structure:
Point (your position on the issue) Counterpoint (the best argument offered by the opposition) Counterargument (how you position is best, even granting the best argument offered by the opposition)
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Assignment 1: Perception
Quite often, our perceptions influence our judgment of people or events. For example, when we are driving and someone cuts us off, some of us instinctively yell, throw our hands up, and stretch forward to try to see the other driver. We announce loudly that the driver is a mindless idiot and should not be allowed on the road. However, that is merely our perception. Maybe the driver was rushing because her son broke his arm and she was trying to get to the Emergency Room. Having that knowledge would certainly change the way we perceived the driver and his or her actions.
In this assignment we will take a look at the four stages of perception covered in your online readings as they relate to the video “Language in the Office”. In this scenario, you will examine the perspective of one of the four main characters. The character you are assigned is based on the first letter of your last name (unless your instructor assigns you a different character).
John—starts the scenario talking to Regina (last name beginning with A-F) Regina—working at the desk (last name beginning with G-M) Brian—another employee (holding the football) (last name beginning with N-S) Gerald—assistant manager (last name beginning with T-Z) Watch the video, “Language in the Office” and for your initial post, take on the perspective of your assigned character. (Click here to view the text transcript of the video.) Provide some insight as to why you think your character responded the way he or she did. You will walk through the perception process and create a perception of your character and the scenario. Your initial post should be a minimum of three paragraphs (one for each of the first three stages of perception).
Stage 1: Selection
How do you think your character perceives the scenario? What were the verbal/non-verbal cues that justify your answer? Remember, in the selection phase it is usually the loud or out of the ordinary items that get selected first. As you work through this process, notice what is catching the attention of your character. What is not catching the attention of your character? What type of mood is your character in?
Stage 2: Organization
Now that you have perceived the scenario, you must organize the information of his/her surroundings. Take a look at each of the other characters in the scenario. Based on their looks alone, classify each of the characters. For instance, you might look at a woman in a business suit as being a successful person, or if you see a person driving in a limousine, you would think that they were rich. Assess the other characters based on what you see in the scenario.
Stage 3: Interpretation
Now that you have described your character and done a brief assessment of each of the other characters in the scenario, examine the non-verbal cues that the other members are giving through the video. Based on their tone, communication, and non-verbal cues write a brief description of your perception of each team member.
last name start with G
By now you have viewed the video, “Language in the Office” and completed your weekly reading. If not, then please take some time to do this now, as this will be very important for completion of this discussion question.
I like to call this assignment the ‘Vantage Point’ post. You are being asked to take on the perspective of one member of a group and provide some insight as to why your character responded the way he or she did. You will walk through the perception process and create a perception of your character and the scenario. This is a great assignment to practice using the communication skills that you have learned thus far in order to reflect upon someone else’s perceptions of a situation.
Make sure that you think about how to integrate the course materials into your post as support for the positions that you put forth.
Your initial thread should be a minimum of three-paragraphs (one for each of the first three stages of perception).