RETURN

Updated 7/20/09

A.  Structure. You can think of your major paper as answering certain kinds of questions about your topic, T, drawn from or relating to a ethical issue defined, for example,  by a professional source of your choice. Be able to show how your argument exhibits Toulmin's theory on the structure of argument, i.e. claim(s), evidence, warrant(s), etc.

1. What is T (as indicated by the texts)?

2. Is T of concern to practicing educators?

3. What is the controversy concerning T? Is it real? Does it contain problems of understanding, fact or value? (Use  Analyzing Controversy.)

4. What is the historical placement of this concern? (Use Perkinson, or other sources you have obtained.)

5. Do any case studies from class or in Hinman raise relevant issues with respect to T? What moral principles are at issue here?

6. Do the authors of your source texts do an adequate job in presenting and defining these issues?

7. What other sources support or conflict with the issues as your primary authors present them?

1. There is a controversy about X, which is seen as a problematic situation. The controversy can be analyzed in the following manner ....

2. (Professional Source) has weighed in on this controversy by proposing the following..

3. (Source) places this concern historically in the following manner....

4. Hinman' s case of ..... bears on this. He proposes we see it thus....

5. (Other author)'s case of .... is relevant here also. The moral principles he believes are pertinent are ....

6. These various sources (do not) support each other well because....

7. I believe, however, that they overlook the following points: ....

8. In addition, (New Source) suggests that ...

9. General conclusion and practical implications.

C. Critiques. Your critique of someone's paper should take into account whether and how well the reviewer of the case study addresses the questions above. You may, if you find any of them not well answered, or if you have special information on them, address them yourself. In addition, find one additional article, etc. either in the library or on the web that pertains to the topic. This is your contribution to the reference base of the article you are criticizing. Your critics will do likewise.