AICE Thinking Skills Review. How to Master Paper 2

Transcription

1 AICE Thinking kills Review How to Master Paper 2

2 Important Things to Remember You are given 1 hour and 45 minutes for Paper 2 You should spend approximately 30 minutes on each question Write neatly! Read the directions carefully Every word is important. Leave a blank line between each question/bullet point

3 Important Things to Remember Read the question and underline/highlight key elements Jot the basic answer to the question in the question booklet before writing in your answer booklet Do not write in the margins of the answer booklet as it will not be scored If you make an error, use a single line to cross out your answer.

4 What is covered in Paper 2?

5 The questions Question #1 Evaluating the credibility of evidence from a variety of sources, and argue a reasoned case in favor or against a given judgment. Question #2 Uses reasoning in a scientific context Question #3 Analyzes and evaluates an argument and constructs further arguments which support a given conclusion

6 Question #1: The details Consider the following when reading the sources Circumstances uspects Witnesses Motive Opportunity Evidence Plausibility

7 Question #1: The details Don t forget CRAVEN! Corroboration Reputation Ability to Perceive Vested Interest Expertise Neutrality

8 Question #1: The details Vested Interest vs. Bias Vested Interest Involves gaining or losing something for telling the truth/lying Bias Favors/leans towards one side over the other No appearance of gain/loss

9 Question #1: The details When asked to make an evaluation, choose your response from an imagined scale of 4 answers trongly agree, partly agree, generally agree, strongly disagree Very much, partly, only slightly, not at all Very likely, quite likely, unlikely, very unlikely Very significant, mostly significant, somewhat significant, not significant If in doubt, choose one of the middle ones

10 Question #1: The details For questions 1a, 1b, and 1c questions that rely on a specific source Be sure to use only that source in your response. Explain the possible significance of ource B in relation to the allegation tate and briefly explain one factor in ource D How well does ource F support

11 Question #1: The details Question 1d Make clear what you think is the most likely explanation Give an evaluation of the sources Use your scale of four answers Can use information written in parts 1a, 1b, and 1c Avoid retelling the information to the reader Use all or most of your sources Discuss the most important evidence first The most important evidence is, which is found in ource because

12 Question #1: The details Question 1d requires a plausible alternative scenario Introduce the less likely possibility Explain why it is less likely This should be your final paragraph of your argument. A plausible alternative scenario is You can also include what information that is not given would be necessary to make a definitive conclusion.

13 Question #2: The details Consider your sources hould be credible sources Official government websites Institutional and Academic sites Academic journals that are peer reviewed Reputable news sources

14 Question #2: The details Only mention that the source is outdated if the information is more than 20 years old Advances in technology are the exception Is the source neutral or are they clearly biased? What is the purpose of the article? Fact/Opinion/Propaganda Is the source relevant/reliable/useful/supported?

15 Question #2: The details Consider the implications of the information given Like in question 1d, use an imagined scale of four answers to answer the questions No alternative scenario is required in the question. Be sure to use all of your sources

16 Question #3: The details Before answering, highlight/mark your entire argument

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18 Question #3: The details The overall directions for question 3 are the same in every paper.

19 Question 3a Using the exact words from the passage as far as possible, identify the main conclusion. Copy the main conclusion straight from the passage Do not use ellipsis ( ). No credit will be given. Do not write because any statement following this word is probably a reason or an example. Will not receive any credit for this response

20 Question 3b Using the exact words from the passage as far as possible, identify three intermediate conclusions. Copy it straight from the passage. Do not use ellipsis ( ). No credit will be given. Bullet point your responses. Do not write because the following statement is probably a reason or example and is not credited One significant omission or addition is permitted (this is not advertised) Do not write more than three intermediate conclusions. If you do, only the first three are scored. Normally each paragraph contains an intermediate conclusion. (ee green highlighted portions on the next slide)

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22 Question 3c Evaluate the strength of the reasoning in the argument. In your answer, you should consider any flaws, unstated assumptions and other weaknesses. NEVER INCLUDE TRENGTH! THEY WILL NOT BE CREDITED. Organize your analysis by paragraph Bullet point your responses Avoid disagreeing with the argument. Consider how well do the reasons and the examples support each intermediate conclusion.

23 Question 3c Focus on flaws/fallacies; unstated assumptions; inconsistency between paragraphs Fallacies to know/most commonly used: lippery lope Hasty Generalization Appeal to Tradition Circular Reasoning Ad Homimem Post Hoc Either/Or traw Man Conflation Non equitur

24 lippery lope An arguer commits this fallacy when they claim, without sufficient reason, that a seemingly harmless action will lead to a disastrous outcome.

25 Post Hoc (False Cause) This fallacy occurs when an arguer assumes, without adequate reason, that because one event precedes another, that the first event was the cause of the second. How do I know that ginseng tea is a cure for the common cold? Last week I had a bad case of the sniffles. I drank a cup of ginseng tea, and the next morning my sniffles were gone.

26 Hasty Generalization This fallacy occurs when an arguer draws a general overall conclusion from a sample that is either biased or too small. A biased sample is one that is not representative of the target population. The target population is the group of people or things that the generalization is about. Hasty generalizations can often lead to false stereotypes. I ve hired three business majors as student help in the past year. All three were lazy and shiftless. Obviously all business majors are lazy and shiftless.

27 False Dichotomy (Either-Or) In this fallacy, the arguer sets up the situation so it looks like there are only two choices. The arguer then eliminates one of the choices, so it seems that we are left with only one option: the one the arguer wanted us to pick in the first place. Example: "Caldwell Hall is in bad shape. Either we tear it down and put up a new building, or we continue to risk students' safety. Obviously we shouldn't risk anyone's safety, so we must tear the building down."

28 Appeal to Tradition An appeal to tradition justifies a claim or an action on the basis that it is traditional, or it has always been done this way. Example: Our family has always donated one-fifth of its income to charity. It s what we do. o we should carry on giving money to the needy.

29 traw Man Definition: The arguer sets up a wimpy version of the opponent s position and tries to score point by knocking it down. Example: Bill and Jill are arguing about government spending. Bill: We should put more money into health and education. Jill: I am surprised that you hate our country so much that you want to leave it defenseless by cutting military spending.

30 Begging the Question Definition: A complicated fallacy, an argument that begs the question relies on a premise that says the same thing as the conclusion (which you might hear referred to as being circular or circular reasoning OR simply ignores an important (but questionable) assumption that the argument rests on. Examples: "Active euthanasia is morally acceptable. It is a decent, ethical thing to help another human being escape suffering through death.

31 Conflation Conflation is bring two or more different concepts together and treating them as the same thing. Example: Obesity is a growing problem in western societies. The increasing number of obese people is causing tremendous problems for health provision and insurance. If we want to avoid an obesity crisis we must encourage these people to get fit.

32 Ad Hominem Rejects someone s argument or claim by attacking the person rather than the person s argument or claim. a) X is a bad person. b) Therefore, X s argument must be bad.

33 Inconsistency An argument is inconsistent if the claims it makes contradict each other. Example: Killing people is wrong. Murder is the ultimate crime deserving the ultimate punishment. Therefore, capital punishment for murder is justified.

34 Non equitur A conclusion that does not follow logically from preceding statements or that is based on irrelevant data. Example: I think I would make a good diplomat to China. I have a very good record in dealing with minorities. Example: Mary loves children, so she would be a great schoolteacher.

35 Question 3d Write your own short argument to support or challenge this claim. The conclusion of the argument must be stated. Credit will not be given for repeating ideas from the passage. Pick a side: support or challenge make it clear Include at least a main conclusion, two or three reasons and an example in your argument. Do not include any material from the passage.

36 Question 3d Map your argument in your answer booklet before writing. Preferably include a counter assertion and an intermediate conclusion. Consider any special cases or areas that need explanation. Your main conclusion should be copied from the question. While using your own ideas, avoid making it an opinion piece.

37 Good luck on your Thinking kills exam!!