Overview: For your final project in this course, you will write a critical essay in which you use critical thinking skills to examine an argument presented in an article that is associated with your chosen topic. You will examine the argument’s logic, rea

PHL 111 Milestone One Guidelines and Rubric Overview: For your final project in this course, you will write a critical essay in which you use critical thinking skills to examine a n argument presented in an article that is associated with your chosen topic. You will examine the argument’s logic, reasoning, bias , and credibility , and then apply the same critical thinking skills to developin g your own alternative argument. You will then reflect on how you can apply this process to other areas and situations in your life. In the Module One journal assignment, you chose a topic and article that you will focus on for your final project. In this milestone, which is a first step toward the successful completion of your final project, you will introduce the article that you have chosen and begin to assess and analy ze the ar gument asserted in the article. Prompt: Complete the Milestone One W orksheet and use your answers to draft a paragraph fo r each of the sections below. Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed: I. Introduction : To begin your essay, you will formally introduc e your real -world topic. As the foundation of your paper, your introduction should engage the aud ience and establish any necessary background. A. Provide a brief overview of the topic. For example , you might consider the premise of the conversation and why the topic is being discussed. B. Describe any personal connection you have to the topic. Why is the t opic of particular interest to you? II. Presented Argument : In this section, you will explore the argument in your chosen artifact. You will uncover the logical structure of the argumen t and investigate any bias behind its claims. A. Describe the argument made by the artifact. B. Identify key facts, research, or resources the argument is based on . Provide specific examples to support your identification. C. Describe the logic and reasoning used to advance the argument and any gaps or weaknesses present. Consid er the premises and conclusion advanced in the artifact, and the questions that are left unanswered. Rubric Guidelines for Submission: Complete the Milestone One W orksheet and submit it to Blackboard for grading. Instructor Feedback: This activity u ses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more information, review these instructions . Critical Elements Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (75%) Not Evident (0%) Value Introduction:

Overview Provide s a brief overview of the topic Provides an overview of the topic but overview is too v erbose or contains inaccuracies Does not provide an overview of the topic 15 Introduction: Personal Connection Describes personal connection to this topic Describes pe rsonal connection to this topic but description is cu rsory or unrelated to the topic Does not describe any pe rsonal connection to this topic 15 Presented Argument:

Argument Describes the argument made by the artifact Describes the argume nt made but description is cursory, contains inaccuracies, or is incomplete Does not describe the argument made by the artifact 20 Presented Argument: Key Facts, Research, Resources Identifies key facts, research, or resources the argument is based on and provides specific examples to support identification Identifies key facts, research, or resources, but does not provide specific examples or example s provided are illogical Does not identify key facts, research, or resources 20 Presented Argument: Logic and Reasoning Describes the logic and reasoning used to advance the argument and any gaps or weaknesses present Describes the logic and reasoning used to advance the argument and any gaps or weaknesses present but description is cursory, illogical, o r contains inaccuracies Does not describe the logic and reasoni ng used to advance the argument 20 Articulation of Response Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas 10 Total 100%