Good or bad argument patterns in documentary films

This Critical Analysis Essay requires you to identify, discuss, and evaluate good or bad
argument patterns in one of these documentary films:
Covid-19: Pandemic, Fear and Precautions
Are we Racist?
To help you choose between the documentaries you can review the links on Moodle
that bring you directly to the sources. Note: The first link (Covid-19) requires you to log
in with your York Passport. Everyone should be able to view this video, no matter where
you are geographically. The second link (Are we Racist?) takes you directly to the
source’s website because the York library link is currently broken. You may not all be
able to access this video depending on where you are geographically.
Though this essay is critical in nature (GRM! Chapter 13), it has elements of expository
writing (WP Chapter 4) and argumentative writing too (both GRM! and WP address
argumentative writing). Your essay should demonstrate that you know the argument(s)
being made in the video, and that you can evaluate them. Be able to respond to the
argument(s) critically, not argumentatively. What you think about wearing masks or
BLM , or any other topic, is not what this essay should document; it is an evaluation of
the views espoused in the video, not an opinion piece. Remember to be clear and
concise. This entails that you choose what is important to include in your essay, given
your thesis, and you drop other unrelated critical thoughts.
Instructions
Here is a step-by-step guide to succeeding in writing in this essay.
Research for essay:
(1) watch the video
(2) roughly diagram its arguments so that you understand them
(3) analyze all the arguments as fully as you can by uncovering argument schemes
and/or fallacies
Liberal Arts & Professional
Studies
Department of Philosophy
Course Title: Techniques of Persuasion
Course Code: AP/MODR 1770 6.0A
Term: SU 2020
2
(4) choose the schemes/fallacies you want to write a paper about (aim for 2). When you
make this decision there should be some theme or connection that would prompt you to
discuss the arguments together in an essay
(5) analyze the schemes/fallacies with principle(s) of argumentation; you can also
bring in ARS, bias, or another course concept if it is applicable to your analysis
(6) develop a critical thesis that ties together your analyses
(7) How do the arguments presented relate to something outside of the film (e.g. social
distancing; media; health issues; Black Lives Matter; carding in the GTA; employment
equity; land acknowledgements; defunding the police; etc.). The discussion should not
be anecdotal/personal in nature.
(8) start writing your essay
Write essay:
(9) use the template provided on Moodle to organize your ideas
(10) write a draft of your essay
(11) edit your draft
You can’t possibly include all of your observations and analyses in one essay - you
have to choose and be quite specific about what your paper addresses. Here are some
general examples of essay topics:

• an essay about strong generalizations made in a film/article, with connection to
  fulfilling the burden of proof and truth seeking principle.
• an essay about arguments with irrelevant premises (e.g. appeal to popularity and two wrongs reasoning), and how they show an arguer violating the fallibility principle.
• an essay about ad hominems, in connection with a lack of relevant rationale (R
  condition), violation of the respect principle, and slanting by distortion.
• an essay that addresses both vague concepts and emotional appeals, in connection
  with a failure to seek the truth and the need for audiences to suspend judgment
  on an issue accordingly.
• Etc. Etc. Etc.
• Above are just general examples. They show you the choices that need to be made
  when organizing and presenting a strong analysis of a film’s arguments. A good practice
  to accomplish this task: analyze the documentary as FULLY as you can, and then work
  with your best ideas (i.e your strongest analyses).
  Follow the APA guide for citations and style formatting. You should be citing the
  film when you summarize a part of it, and you should be citing CORRECT sources of
  the course concepts you use (e.g. Groarke & Tindale, Battersby, etc.). Do not do any
  outside research unless it helps with step 7.
  An essay template is provided on Moodle for your planning convenience. If you
  would like to discuss your essay with the instructor, fill out the essay template and make
  an appointment with the instructor on Moodle (see the Scheduler). It is that template
  that will guide the discussion.
  3
  How is the essay being assessed?
  Out of 100 marks Essay Component Note:
  20 Title + Introduction + Critical Thesis
  Your analyses need
  to all prove your
  critical thesis.
  10 Accurate/relevant summary of video
  40 Scheme/Fallacy Analysis
  20 Use Argument Principle(s), to help
  bolster your scheme/fallacy analysis.
  Include other course concepts if they
  connect with the fallacies and
  principles you
  10 Grammar, Style, Works Cited, Word
  Count, etc.
  Logistics:
  • You are expected to submit your assignment by Tuesday August 11. If you
  upload your essay by August 11, then you will get feedback with your essay grade.
  • If you don’t make this deadline, there will be another link available. If your essay is
  submitted by August 17 it will be graded. There will be no feedback and no late
  penalty.
  • If you upload your paper between August 18 and 24, it will be graded on a P/F basis
  (the mark will be 0 or 50; to get a 50 you need to meet the criteria of this essay).
  • Your essay should be typed, double-spaced, 1 inch margins, 12 point font. Aim for
  1200 words - with an absolute maximum word count of 1300 words. Edit your essay
  so that you do not exceed the maximum word length. If you can’t do this, ask
  someone to help you edit your paper.
  • Like any other discipline (e.g. science), there are rules that guide academic writing.
  Follow the APA style guide for citations and formatting. A title page is not
  necessary. Links to citing sites are available on Moodle for your reference.
  • When you are ready to submit your essay, go to our Moodle site and upload your
  essay under the Turnitin.com link titled, “Critical Essay.” Please save it as either a
  .doc or .pdf. Other files attachments may not be accepted.
  Common Mistakes to Avoid:
• Don’t forget to add a relevant title to your paper (i.e. avoid a generic title like
  “Analysis”).
  4
• Follow the word count (i.e. do not think that more is better); keep in mind that
  turnitin.com provides instructors with a word count after the paper is uploaded.
• Link every analysis you make back to your thesis.
• Use paragraphs to separate ideas. Indent your paragraphs.
• Review your paper for grammar mistakes (e.g. know the difference between
  than/then, your/you’re, their/there/they’re).
• Keep your eye on the prize: it is your goal to show that you can evaluate some
  aspect(s) of the film with schemes/fallacies and argument principle(s) (and other
  concepts that help strengthen your fallacy analysis), so avoid long summaries.