Assignment 1.2: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay – Part II
Synthesizing and Writing
Due Week 5 and worth 100 points
When looking for information about a particular issue, how often do  you try to resist biases toward your own point of view? This assignment  asks you to engage in this aspect of critical thinking.
The assignment is divided into two (2) parts.
For Part I of the assignment (due Week 3), you read a critical thinking process: “The Believing Game and How to Make Conflicting Opinions More Fruitful” by Peter Elbow. , reviewed the Procon.org Website in order to gather information, and engaged in prewriting to examine your thoughts.
* Remember that in the Week 2 Discussion, you examined the biases discussed in Chapter 2 of the webtext.
In Part II of the assignment (due Week 5), you will write a paper to synthesize your ideas.
Part II – Writing
Write at three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:

State your position on the topic you selected for Assignment 1.1.
Identify (3) three premises (reasons) from the Procon.org website  that support your position and explain why you selected these specific  reasons.
Explain your answers to the “believing” questions about the three  (3) premises opposing your position from the Procon.org website.
Examine at least two (2) types of biases that you likely  experienced as you evaluated the premises for and against your position.
Discuss the effects of your own enculturation or group identification that may have influenced your biases.
Discuss whether or not your thinking about the topic has changed  after playing the “Believing Game,” even if your position on the issue  has stayed the same.

The paper should follow guidelines for clear and organized writing: