When looking for information about a particular issue, how often do you try to resist biases toward your own point of view? This assignment asks you to engage in this aspect of critical thinking by playing the “Believing Game.” The Believing Game is about making the effort to “believe” – or at least consider – the reasons for an opposing view on an issue.

The assignment is divided into two (2) parts.
In Part I of the assignment (due Week 2), you will first read a book excerpt about critical thinking processes: “The Believing Game and How to Make Conflicting Opinions More Fruitful” at http://www.procon.org/sourcefiles/believinggame.pdf. Next, you will review the Procon.org Website in order to gather information. Then, you will engage in prewriting to examine your thoughts.
Note: In Part II of the assignment (due Week 4), you will write an essay geared towards synthesizing your ideas.

Part I – Prewriting: Follow the instructions below for this prewriting activity. Use complete sentences and adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.
1. Select one (1) of the approved topics from the www.procon.org Website and state your position on the issue.
2. From the Procon.org Website, identify three (3) premises (reasons) listed under either the Pro or Con section – whichever section opposes your position.
3.For each of the three (3) premises (reasons) that oppose your position on the issue, answer these “believing” questions suggested by Elbow:

a.What’s interesting or helpful about this view?
b.What would I notice if I believed this view?
c.In what sense or under what conditions might this idea be true?”
The paper should follow guidelines for clear and organized writing:

•Include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph.
•Address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.
•Adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

•Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style 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.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

•Identify the informal fallacies, assumptions, and biases involved in manipulative appeals and abuses of language.
•Create written work utilizing the concepts of critical thinking.
•Use technology and information resources to research issues in critical thinking skills and informal logic.

The Beatles
Prompt
Present a theoretically informed analysis of a popular song, album, or film associated with youth culture. Your analysis MUST demonstrate a connection between course content and this text.

Topic Selection
You may explore some aspect of the Beatles’ artistry or cultural history that we haven’t covered in depth—or you can select a popular text that our exploration of youth culture and/or the Beatles helps you explore. You are always welcome to discuss your topic and potential sources with me in advance of the proposal’s deadline, but I will let you know if you’re on/off track at that time.
Term Paper Requirements
• Page Length: 5-7 pages, not including Works Cited Do not exceed 10 pages!
• Standard format for scholarly essays
o Introduction that introduces the texts under consideration and concludes with a thesis.
o Literature Review (if necessary, especially if relevant literature misses a point you develop)
o Analysis of the Texts
o Conclusion
• Use MLA format.
• Avoid ending paragraphs with a quote. This might be done sparingly for emphasis, but most of the time, you need to explain and reinforce your argument after the quote.