Need help on a discussion: Choose a topic that is difficult or controversial to explain. Some good topics include hoaxes, unusual sightings (e.g. UFOs, bigfoot, etc.), the supernatural or paranormal (

Example:

The chosen case is the existence of Bigfoot. Citing a popular source from Wikipedia in order to summarize some background information:

In North American folklore , Bigfoot or Sasquatch are said to be hairy, upright-walking, ape  -like creatures that dwell in the wilderness and leave footprints. Depictions often portray them as a missing link between humans and human ancestors or other great apes  . They are strongly associated with the Pacific Northwest  (particularly Oregon  , Washington  and British Columbia ), and individuals claim to see the creatures across North America  . Over the years, these creatures have inspired numerous commercial ventures and hoaxes.[1]  ….

  Folklorists  trace the figure of Bigfoot to a combination of factors and sources, including folklore surrounding the European wild man  figure, folk belief among Native Americans  and loggers  , and a cultural increase in environmental concerns. (Wikipedia article "Bigfoot  " Dec. 02 2019)

The controversial question asks whether Bigfoot is real. Does Bigfoot exist? Keep in mind that the two opposing arguments should be presented in standard form: 

Pro Argument

Premise 1: Many people claim to have had encounters with or seen photos of Bigfoot.

Premise2: Their testimony is reliable.

Conclusion: Therefore, Bigfoot exists.

Con Argument

Premise 1: Perceptions of Bigfoot are based on misperception, fraud, or hoax.

Premise 2: Misperception, fraud, and hoaxes are not reliable.

Conclusion: Therefore, Bigfoot does not exist.

Once the two opposing arguments are presented, the discussion should present the third argument - the inference to the best explanation one - in standard form too. The textbook lists two forms for this argument type in chapter 6.5:

Inferences to the best explanation generally involve the following pattern of reasoning.

X has been observed to be true.
Y would provide an explanation of why X is true.
No other explanation for X is as likely as Y.
Therefore, Y is probably true.

One strange thing about inferences to the best explanation is that they are often expressed in the form of a common fallacy, as follows:

If P is the case, then Q would also be true.
Q is true.
Therefore, P is probably true. (Hardy et al 6.5 2015)

Try to formulate your inference using one of these forms on your own chosen topic.

Argument

Premise1: People have had encounters with or taken photographic/video evidence of things that are allegedly Bigfoots.

Premise2: The misperception, fraud, hoax position provides an explanation why there is evidence of these sightings.

Premise3: No other explanation for these sightings is as likely as the misperception, fraud, or hoax explanation.

C: Therefore, the misperception, fraud, or hoax explanation is probably true.