ENG 122-Week 3 Guidance

1. WEEK 3 GUIDANCE
You’ve read a ton of material, conducted ongoing
research, developed a thesis statement,
identified topic sentences, and crafted an
argument using claims, evidence, and rebuttals.
You’ve also been actively engaged in a writers’
workshop in our discussions. Be sure to spend
some time in the gradebook before proceeding. I
have given you important feedback that will help
you learn and succeed.
Opening Questions
Please think about these questions as you review
this week’s course materials. You may be asked to
provide your answers in our weekly discussions
and workshops.
• Can you describe logic and fallacy?
• What purpose does a paper’s conclusion serve?
• How can a syllogism build logical arguments
and avoid fallacies?

2. ELABORATION
Argument: Using Logic and
Avoiding Fallacy
● Is your rebuttal strong
enough to refute your
counterargument?
● How do ethos, pathos and
logos unfold in your
writing?
Remember that constructing a valid argument
requires the use of logic. Errors in logic are
referred to as fallacies. Analyze your own
proposed argument structure and take notes on
why the argument seems valid. If the argument is
not valid, identify errors or omissions and revise
accordingly. Ask the following questions in order to
determine the validity of your argument.

3. Think about the structure of your
argument as you read The Language of
Logic in our Logic and Fallacy handout.
Which approaches will be best-suited to
your specific argument?
Be sure that you understand the purpose
of the premise, conclusion, argument,
syllogism, induction and deduction.
As you proofread for logic, fallacies and
evidence, take a few moments to visit
“Using Logic” in Purdue’s Online Writing
Lab.
Argument: Using Logic
and Avoiding Fallacy
“Writing is an
exploration. You
start from nothing
and learn as you
go.”
--E.L. Doctorow

4. Remember to check
your understanding of
• premise
• conclusion
• argument
• syllogism
• induction
• deduction
Logic Fallacies
Errors in reasoning or connecting ideas are
known as logic fallacies. As a writer, it is
important to not only avoid logical errors in
your own writing, but also recognize them in
the opinions and arguments of others. This is
especially important as you engage in research
and select your sources (“Avoiding Fallacies”).
Following are some common logic fallacies:
• Ad hominem – This fallacy is a direct or
indirect attack on a person. It is also
known as ‘name-calling.’ Example: Mary
can’t choose the costumes for the play,
just look at her ridiculous outfit!
• Celebrity appeal/bandwagon - With this
fallacy, a premise is implied as one that
should be agreed with because it is
endorsed by a well-known person or a
majority agrees with the premise. If it’s
good enough for Elvis, it’s good enough
for me!

5. Fallacies are defects
that weaken
arguments.
Being able to
recognize fallacies
can help you avoid
the fallacy pitfall in
your own writing!
Logic Fallacies (Continued)
• Either/or reasoning - This fallacy assumes
that an issue only has one cause or
solution. The only way to curb violence in
our schools is to ban violent video
games.
• Slippery slope– This fallacy assumes that
because one minor fact is true, then a
larger premise must be too, without any
further proof. Mayor Green voted to raise
taxes, so he will always raise taxes.
• Ad populum- Rather than an argument
based on facts from reliable sources, this
fallacy bases its argument on emotional
appeals. Professor Bloom’s test was
extremely unfair. Just ask anyone who
took it!

6. Logic Fallacies (Continued)
• Circular reasoning – This fallacy restates
the problem itself as a cause of the
problem. There are not enough seats
because there are too many students.
• Ideological reasoning – The use of cultural,
religious, or moral values to prove a
position. While there is nothing wrong with
making personal judgments, you should
avoid making ideological reasons the
foundation of your argument. Remember,
your audience might not share your
ideological views.
Now that you’ve learned about some logic
fallacies to avoid in your writing, put your
knowledge to the test by completing the
Avoiding Fallacies Quiz. Click on the link
below.
• AVOIDING FALLACIES QUIZ

7. Drafting:
Concluding Your Paper
You have developed a thesis statement to
introduce the argument. You have outlined
your paper. Now, how will you bring it to an
end? Conclusions are often an afterthought
and are written when a student is burned out,
tired, and careless.
A sloppy conclusion will leave your reader with
a feeling of dissatisfaction. Do you want your
audience to get engaged in your paper, only to
be disappointed at the last moment?
Your introduction and conclusion must be as
well-developed as all other paragraphs in your
paper. Review the Ashford Writing Center’s
recommendations for writing an effective
paragraph. Then, consider the function of the
conclusion You are reminding your reader of
the topics, evidence and research that
supports your overall claim. You are, in part,
summarizing your own paper.

8. Drafting:
Concluding Your Paper
Take a good look at your outline before
drafting your conclusion. Ask yourself the
following questions:
• Which topics are most essential?
• What does your reader need to
remember about your argument?
Next, review your thesis statement. You will
need to create a similar, but different
statement for your conclusion.
• How can you restate this information in a
new way?
“Either write something worth reading
or do something worth writing.”
–Benjamin Franklin

9. Review: APA Style
WHAT IS A CITATION?
• A citation is a short, in-text notation that
identifies the source of the information. It must
always give the last name of the author along with
the year of publication. If the information is a
direct quote, the citation must also include a page
number or paragraph number where the quote can
be found.
• AWC in-text citation guide
WHAT IS A REFERENCE?
• A reference is a full description of a source used in a paper. It must contain all
of the identifiable information required by APA. This includes web location,
publication information, and so on.
• A citation is an abbreviated notation that corresponds to a full reference.
• AWC references list

10. WHAT IS A QUOTE?
• A quote is information presented in someone else’s
original format.
• A quote must be identified through punctuation
(quotation marks) and proper citation (including the
page number or paragraph number). If punctuation
or citations are missing, the result is plagiarism.
• A quote must be integrated into the text and not
randomly placed in the paper.
• AWC guidelines for quoting sources
Additional questions? Please post them in the
Ask Your Instructor forum!

11. Overview of Assignments
Discussing the Use of Syllogisms
and a Peer Review Session
Our first discussion
will be focused on the
development of logic
through syllogisms.
After reading the
textbook and “An
Introduction to Logic
and Syllogisms”
document, view
the “Categorical
Syllogisms” video and then submit a well-
written syllogism or two. The subject should
relate to your final paper so you can use the
information while writing your draft. Be sure
to review the work of others, responding
whenever appropriate. Your two “best”
responses to classmates will be graded while
all others will add to the conversation and
help you to learn more about syllogisms,
logic, and fallacy.

12. Discussing the Use of Syllogisms
and a Peer Review Session
Our second formal
discussion is set up
for a workshop with
the opportunity for a
peer review session.
This week, you’ll share
your “closing
argument.” Present
your conclusion draft and share your
experience writing it. Once you’ve posted your
work, you will have the opportunity to receive
feedback from the class. Your classmates will
help you refine your conclusion, improve your
writing, and more. In turn, you will help them.

13. Week Three Quiz
You will need to complete the quiz by
Monday, Day 7. Before you attempt the
quiz, be sure you have read all the course
materials, viewed the media, and
completed the activities/tutorials. You may
attempt the quiz up to three times.
The quiz will assess your knowledge of the
Ashford Writing Center, APA citations and
style (APA Essay Checklist for Students),
grammar (20 Common Writing Errors),
avoiding fallacies in argument, and other
topics covered in this week’s required
readings.

14. Writing: The First Rough Draft
This week, you will gather all of your work
and write a working draft of your paper. This
means using your best writing skills, clearest
grammar, correct spelling, and thoughtful
argumentation in a cohesive essay. Then, we
will have two weeks to revise, proofread, and
make it perfect.
Your rough draft will be graded a bit
differently than previous assignments. The
grade is not very important. The most
important information in the gradebook will
be my feedback. Your rough draft should be
good, but it will not be perfect. It does not
have to be perfect. You will be expected to
read all of my feedback and incorporate it
into your revisions. You should also consider
the information and advice presented by your
classmates in our discussions.

15. Writing: The First Rough Draft
Be sure to use full, formal APA formatting and
citation style in your draft. This will give me
an opportunity to review your APA style and
provide accurate and appropriate feedback.
If you need extra feedback before submitting
your draft, please contact our tutoring staff in
the Ashford Writing Center. They offer
tutoring and paper review services at no cost
to you. I highly recommend their services for
the remaining weeks of class.
To reach a tutor, use the classroom link at
Learning Resources>Writing Center. You must
be logged in to class to gain access to tutoring
services.

16. Additional Resources
Weblinks, Videos,
Articles, and More.
• Using Logic. Purdue OWL. Document
located at
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/reso
urce/659/02/
• Logical fallacies. Purdue OWL. Document
located at
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/reso
urce/659/03/
• Deductive and Inductive Arguments.
Video located at
https://youtu.be/BwtCScUoL_w
• Premises and Conclusions. Video located
at https://youtu.be/OpNoCmNtP5c

17. Week Three Assignment Schedule
ACTIVITY DUE DATE FORMAT
Using Syllogisms to Avoid Fallacy Day 3 Discussion
Respond to a minimum of two
classmates’ postings
Day 7
Writing Your Conclusion Workshop Day 3 Discussion
Respond to a minimum of two
classmates’ postings
Day 7
Week Three Quiz Day 7 Quiz
Final Research Paper Rough Draft Day 7 Assignment

18. Final Thoughts
Be sure to follow the guidelines and expectations
for your Week 3 assignments as outlined in the
Student Course Guide and in the Week 3 section
in the left navigation panel of the course.
Remember, you have three tutoring services
available: Paper Review, Live Chat, and Tutor e-
mail. Click on the Writing Center (AWC) tab in the
left-navigation menu to learn more about these
tutoring options and how to get help with your
writing.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate
to contact me. You can post a question in the
“Ask Your Instructor” discussion forum or send me
an e-mail. I’m looking forward to our discussions
this week and reading your rough drafts!
Special thanks to Aimée Garten
and Caroline Morrell
of Ashford University for their
support and contributions to this guidance

19. References
Aristotle. (n.d.). Aristotle quotes. Retrieved from
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/aristotle383912.html
Avoiding fallacies. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/writing/writing/how-to-begin-a-writing-
assignment/avoiding-fallacies
DeWald, A. (2013, August 23). Episode 1.3: Deductive and inductive
arguments [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/BwtCScUoL_w
DeWald, A. (2013, August 24). Episode 1.4: Premises and conclusions [Video
file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/OpNoCmNtP5c
Doctorow, E. L. (n.d.). Writing quotes. Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/
quotes/quotes/n/neilarmstr363175.html
Franklin, B. (n.d.) Benjamin franklin quotes. Retrieved from
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/benjaminfr133951.html
Purdue OWL. (n.d.). Logical fallacies. Retrieved from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/659/03/
Purdue OWL. (n.d.). Using logic. Retrieved from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/659/02/
Quiz: Avoiding fallacies. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cliffsnotes.com/writing/writing/how-to-begin-a-writing-
assignment/quiz-avoiding-fallacies