POE - TASK 1: ARGUMENT ANALYSIS – SHORT ESSAY

For this task, you will need to use your knowledge of argument structures and analysis, as
well as of the various philosophical approaches, you covered in Learning Units 1 and 2 and
apply these to a real-life education scenario in the form of a short academic essay.

Specifically, you need to:

• Carefully read the news article

• Then, using the article above as your context, write a short but formal academic essay
of between 800 and 1000 words in which you:

o Analyse the viewpoints, propositions and quality of both positions’arguments, based on the
context and facts provided in this article.

o Comment on the assumptions made about the responsibilities parents, and the State by the
two parties concerned.

o Identify the kinds of questions posed by the father, noted their intended purpose, and
outline any one logical fallacy evident in these questions,

o Identify the most likely philosophical approach/theory likely taken by both the father and
state through an application of each one’s claims, arguments, and/or positions.

father state
VIEWPOINT

PROPOSITION

ARGUMENTS: QUALITY

ASSUMPTIONS

LOGICAL FALLACY

PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACHES
To complete the table, carefully read the article and identify the different components. Once
identified, fill it in the appropriate block until the whole table is complete.

· A viewpoint is a position or perspective from which

something is considered or evaluated. The father and
state had very different viewpoints on who was
responsible for sanitation.

· Components or parts of an argument is called a proposition.

A proposition is a statement that is true or false. The father
and state both had their own proposition for why they
believe their viewpoints are valid. What is their reasoning
behind their viewpoints?

Now that you have all the necessary component of your arguments, you may start writing
your essay.
This is an expository academic essay - an expository essay is used to help readers understand
subject matter by providing grounded information and facts. This type of writing requires its
author to support all the information included in the paper with valid evidence. An expository
essay is no place for opinions or personal views on a subject. A quality paper should use
analysis that consists of factual information on its subject.

The author's key goal is to inform and educate the audience through clear logic and facts. The
first-person point of view is considered informal and should not be used in academic writing
(unless it is an opinion piece!). Therefore, do not use “I” or “me” in this essay. The structure
of your essay may take on any logical, coherent format for example (you will also see
possible mark allocation
here):

REMEMBER - This is not an opinion piece!

· Use of academic style, tone, and format
· Evidence of additional, relevant, and credible research
· 800 - 900-word essay
· In text referencing
· Add a reference list
· Writing must be logical, cohesive, and coherent