Learning Objectives Covered
CO1: Develop analytical and critical thinking skills by adapting arguments to better align with hearers from diverse audiences
CO2: Attain awareness of cultural and collaborative argumentation when writing to make appropriate rhetorical choices according to audience and purpose
CO3: Explore strategies for argumentation that focus on logic, both deductive and inductive
CO4: Practice credible persuasion using morality, ethics, and responsibility along with knowledge of worldviews of self and others for message design
CO5: Using critical thinking, identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments, experts, and theories
Assignment #3: Causal Claims
“…we make a causal claim (when we make) … a statement about the causes of things. And when we try to prove or support a causal claim, we make a causal argument—an inductive argument whose conclusion contains a causal claim” (Vaughn, 2024, p. 185).
Identify a personality trait of your own and, using a causal claim, write a 500-word inductive argument explaining how/why you may have developed/adopted this trait. This could be anything from being highly organized, empathetic, assertive, introverted, adventurous, etc.
Provide a clear and detailed description of the trait and how it manifests in your behavior, thoughts, and interactions with others. Then, analyze the reasoning behind why you think you developed that trait, such as personal experiences, cultural background, social influences, family upbringing, environmental causes, or any other factors.
Assignment Requirements:
500 words minimum
1 research source (the textbook)
APA-formatted
Title Page
Body
References
Submission:
Submit a Microsoft Word document as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf file
Additional Resources:
APA 7th Edition TemplateDownload APA 7th Edition Template
APA Example Essay Download APA Example Essay
The Purdue OWLLinks to an external site.
FAQ:
How should I start this assignment?
Use the Writing Process! To start your assignment, begin by understanding the prompt or requirements. Then, brainstorm and outline your main ideas. Create a thesis statement and organize your points logically. Finally, start drafting by expanding on your outline, ensuring each paragraph supports your thesis.
Can I use Generative AI (Gen AI), like ChatGPT?
The pre-writing and brainstorming phases of the Writing Process are the only times in which you may employ ChatGPT. It may help generate ideas, organize thoughts, and conduct preliminary research on your topic. However, it’s important to avoid using it for drafting, editing, or revising your assignment, as these stages require your own critical thinking and writing skills to ensure originality and integrity in your work.
How many outside quotes can I use?
You can use outside quotes for up to 20% of your assignment. Ensure the rest is your original work to demonstrate your understanding and analysis.
What is APA?
APA stands for the American Psychological Association. It is a citation style commonly used in the social sciences to format papers and cite sources. APA style includes guidelines for paper structure, in-text citations, and reference lists to ensure clarity and uniformity in academic writing.
