Second Writing Assignment
The first assignment asked you to criticize an essay. The second assignment asked you to defend an essay against a criticism. Your last assignment asks you to either criticize an essay or defend it against a possible criticism.
You may choose one of the following essays in the reader by Hicks and Kelley.
I
Jesse Helms: Amendment 420
Senator Helms argues that federal funds should not be spent supporting art that, in his view and the view of many, depicts immoral acts. You may disagree by developing a specific criticism of his argument; or agree by defending his argument against a specific, possible criticism.
II
George H. Smith: "God Does not Exist."
Professor Smith argues that the widespread existence of evil shows that a perfect creator does not exist. You may disagree by developing a specific criticism of his argument; or agree by defending his argument against a specific, possible criticism.
The study questions at the end of each selection may provide clues for criticism or defense.
Whichever essay you choose, as you write, keep in mind four principles: (A) a precise grasp of concepts, (B) cogent reasoning, (C) concise, precise, powerful expression, (D) the distinction between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses, which requires the proper use of 'that,' 'which,' and commas.
Follow the mechanical requirements and principle of intellectual honesty that are stated in the first assignment.