First assignment: Argument analysis
Resources to help with your first assignment
NOTE: There is a table of contents at the left for this web-book, Assessment and assignments.
To get a printable version of this book, click here. To get a printable version of just this sub-chapter, click here.
Argument outline
Reading 0.1: Cottrell, S 2005, ‘What’s their point? Identifying arguments’, chapter 3, Critical thinking skills: developing effective analysis and argument, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke UK and New York, pp. 37–50
Research tasks
How to test an argument: a short video prepared by Adrian Stagg, USQ Library.
How to search academic databases: a video prepared by Adrian Stagg, USQ Library.
Academic databases hold either abstracts (ie outlines) or the full text of literally millions of articles written by researchers in every conceivable field. They are an incomparable resource for students and other researchers, but you need to learn how to choose which database, and then how to do effective searches—ones that give you what you want.
The video on ‘How to test an argument’ takes you through searching one database; this video deals with the topic more generally.
How to search academic databases: the pdf version.
How to search the internet: a video prepared by Adrian Stagg, USQ Library.
Using ebooks: a video prepared by Adrian Stagg, USQ Library.
E-books are becoming more and more common. They are the digital version of a book. More and more of the books in the USQ Library are e-books; and many are only available in the digital version. For the most part, you can’t download these. They are a valuable resource, but it’s important to learn how to use them effectively, so you don’t waste lots of time.
Evaluating the argument in light of the evidence found
One of the key tasks in this assignment is assessing the impact of the evidence you find on the argument (dot point) you’re testing. Here is a worksheet to help you do it. Here’s the same worksheet, but for people who prefer to handwrite.
Reading 0.3: Samuels, DJ 2013, ‘Extracts on hypothesis testing’, Comparative politics, Pearson Education, pp. 10-13, 48-50, 81-83.
This extract gives us a couple of examples of hypothesis testing; a great way to get a sense of what’s involved.
Reading 0.2: van den Brink-Budgen, R 2000, ‘Assessing the credibility of evidence’, Critical thinking for students, 3rd edn, howtobooks, Begbroke UK, pp. 91-98.
How do we assess the credibility of evidence, especially when intelligent people are arguing for different positions? Here’s a few ways to think critically about the evidence you find.
Examples of former student assignments
I’d like to thank these students for permitting their work to be made available to you, anonymously of course.
Student M3 argument analysis (argument outline and argument testing)
Student M4 argument analysis (argument outline and argument testing)
Marking template
Here’s the marking template for this assignment. Your marker will use this to give you feedback on your assignment. It shows what we’re marking, and the standards we’re expecting.
Referencing
Re-read the section on Referencing in the chapter on Assignment aims: knowledge and skills
Why reference? A short document outlining the reasons for referencing, with some examples.
How to reference using Harvard AGPS: a video prepared by Adrian Stagg, USQ
How to reference using Harvard AGPS: a powerpoint version
How to reference websites: a video prepared by Adrian Stagg, USQ. Websites are easy to access, but often hard to reference correctly. This is a great little video to help you do it properly.
Resources to help with your first assignment
NOTE: There is a table of contents at the left for this web-book, Assessment and assignments.
To get a printable version of this book, click here. To get a printable version of just this sub-chapter, click here.
Argument outline
Reading 0.1: Cottrell, S 2005, ‘What’s their point? Identifying arguments’, chapter 3, Critical thinking skills: developing effective analysis and argument, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke UK and New York, pp. 37–50
Research tasks
How to test an argument: a short video prepared by Adrian Stagg, USQ Library.
How to search academic databases: a video prepared by Adrian Stagg, USQ Library.
Academic databases hold either abstracts (ie outlines) or the full text of literally millions of articles written by researchers in every conceivable field. They are an incomparable resource for students and other researchers, but you need to learn how to choose which database, and then how to do effective searches—ones that give you what you want.
The video on ‘How to test an argument’ takes you through searching one database; this video deals with the topic more generally.
How to search academic databases: the pdf version.
How to search the internet: a video prepared by Adrian Stagg, USQ Library.
Using ebooks: a video prepared by Adrian Stagg, USQ Library.
E-books are becoming more and more common. They are the digital version of a book. More and more of the books in the USQ Library are e-books; and many are only available in the digital version. For the most part, you can’t download these. They are a valuable resource, but it’s important to learn how to use them effectively, so you don’t waste lots of time.
Evaluating the argument in light of the evidence found
One of the key tasks in this assignment is assessing the impact of the evidence you find on the argument (dot point) you’re testing. Here is a worksheet to help you do it. Here’s the same worksheet, but for people who prefer to handwrite.
Reading 0.3: Samuels, DJ 2013, ‘Extracts on hypothesis testing’, Comparative politics, Pearson Education, pp. 10-13, 48-50, 81-83.
This extract gives us a couple of examples of hypothesis testing; a great way to get a sense of what’s involved.
Reading 0.2: van den Brink-Budgen, R 2000, ‘Assessing the credibility of evidence’, Critical thinking for students, 3rd edn, howtobooks, Begbroke UK, pp. 91-98.
How do we assess the credibility of evidence, especially when intelligent people are arguing for different positions? Here’s a few ways to think critically about the evidence you find.
Examples of former student assignments
I’d like to thank these students for permitting their work to be made available to you, anonymously of course.
Student M3 argument analysis (argument outline and argument testing)
Student M4 argument analysis (argument outline and argument testing)
Marking template
Here’s the marking template for this assignment. Your marker will use this to give you feedback on your assignment. It shows what we’re marking, and the standards we’re expecting.
Referencing
Re-read the section on Referencing in the chapter on Assignment aims: knowledge and skills
Why reference? A short document outlining the reasons for referencing, with some examples.
How to reference using Harvard AGPS: a video prepared by Adrian Stagg, USQ
How to reference using Harvard AGPS: a powerpoint version
How to reference websites: a video prepared by Adrian Stagg, USQ. Websites are easy to access, but often hard to reference correctly.
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