Elements Of Reasoning And Intellectual Standards For Our Ass
Elements Of Reasoning And Intellectual Standardsfor Our Assignment Thi
Elements of Reasoning and Intellectual Standards For our assignment this week, you may choose either Option A or Option B. Regardless of the option you choose, be sure to read through the entire assignment directions before crafting your essay. Additionally, use the Week Six Assignment Organization Guide to help you organize your paper. HU260 W6 Assignment Organization Guide Option B Describe how each of the Eight Intellectual Standards (clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, and fairness) were used or not used in the article, supported by an example. If one of these standards does not apply to your article (rare), address that in your essay and explain how the article could have been improved by including it or how the author is justified in leaving it out. For either option you choose: Write an introduction identifying the reasons for choosing either Option A or Option B and justify your reasoning. In the conclusion of your essay, describe how you feel the article is biased. Keep in mind, for either option you are being asked to analyze the article/author itself/himself/herself, NOT the topic discussed. Do not include your own opinion/position on the topic being addressed. Your completed assignment should be 400 words in length. If you use sources in your writing, be sure to identify them. If you use any direct language from a source, be sure to place those words in quotation marks.
Paper For Above instruction
The process of critical thinking involves a detailed analysis of the reasoning processes and the application of intellectual standards to assess the quality and integrity of arguments and ideas. For this assignment, I selected Option B to analyze how the eight intellectual standards—clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, and fairness—were utilized or overlooked in a scholarly article. My choice was influenced by my interest in evaluating the fairness and logic within scholarly discourse, as these standards critically affect the credibility and fairness of information presented. To begin, clarity refers to the clearness of ideas and arguments. In the selected article, the author maintained a high level of clarity, explicitly defining complex concepts related to social policy and ensuring that readers could follow the reasoning process without confusion. For example, when discussing policy implications, the author clarified the terminology used, which improved understanding and prevented misinterpretation.
Accuracy was robust in the article, as the author cited verified data sources to support claims about demographic changes. The data presented was consistent with reputable studies, such as those from census bureaus and peer-reviewed journals, which strengthened the overall credibility. However, there was a slight lapse in precision when detailing statistical figures; some specific percentages lacked exact decimal placement, which could have been improved for enhanced precision. Relevance was well maintained throughout the article, with all sections directly supporting the main thesis about social policy impacts. The author effectively connected empirical evidence to policy recommendations, avoiding extraneous information that might distract from the core argument.
Regarding depth, the article thoroughly examined multiple facets of the issue, such as socioeconomic and racial considerations. Nevertheless, an area where depth could have been improved was exploring the long-term implications of proposed policy changes, which was only superficially covered. Breadth was also adequately addressed, as the author incorporated perspectives from different stakeholders—including government officials, community leaders, and affected populations—offering a multidimensional view. Logic was consistently applied; the reasoning followed a coherent pattern, with premises leading naturally to conclusions. An illustrative example was how the author logically connected case studies to broader statistical trends, reinforcing their argument.
Fairness was primarily upheld, with the author presenting counterarguments and acknowledging potential biases in sources. However, in some instances, the article could have been more balanced by incorporating more diverse perspectives, particularly from critics of policy measures, to further enhance fairness. Furthermore, the author’s selective emphasis on supporting data occasionally suggested a tendency toward confirmation bias, which slightly compromised the overall fairness.
In conclusion, the article demonstrated a commendable application of many intellectual standards, particularly clarity, accuracy, and logic. Nonetheless, there were opportunities to improve depth and fairness, especially in addressing long-term implications and incorporating more diverse viewpoints. The article appeared somewhat biased, favoring policy proponents’ perspectives, likely influenced by the author’s professional affiliations and prior research focus. This bias was evident through the limited critique of opposing viewpoints, which could have contributed to a more balanced presentation. Overall, the application of intellectual standards in the article largely supported a credible argument, but awareness of potential biases highlights the importance of comprehensive critical analysis in scholarly work.
References
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