Word count: The minimum word count (1000) is required. Don’t count the text in the header or works cited. Also, don’t count direct quotes over three lines. Exceeding the maximum (1500) won’t be penalized. However, if your word count is excessive, consider asking teammates for ways to eliminate unnecessary text.
1. Topic: Answer the question: Is the evidence or arguments for alien UFOs valid? Don’t take the middle ground. Reach a conclusion based on your investigation.
2. Emphasis is on rhetoric (argument): Logical analysis: explain the strengths and weaknesses of evidence and argument, using logical fallacies, SMELL, Henry, or Prescott College’s “Evaluating Evidence.”
Analyze and evaluate at least four quotes. Additional sources are optional and in addition to the four required quotes:
Three quotes from what you consider the strongest evidence/arguments for the claim that UFOs are real and signs of alien visitations on planet Earth. They must come from three different sources in our list of readings and can be eyewitness accounts from credible witnesses or photos or videos.
One quote from a personal interview (or a discussion quote from a classmate) with a person who disagrees with you. The interviewee could be a classmate, friend, acquaintance, family member, coworker, etc.). For quotes from classmates, see our Laulima discussions for this paper. What is her/his main argument? Defend your position by discrediting her argument. Identify and explain the flaw in her logic or evidence.
3. Secondary emphasis: See quoting and MLA. Be sure to include your interviewee in the list of works cited. Cite the sources for the four quotes using MLA guidelines. In most cases, I’ve provided the MLA works-cited format for each work in the readings.
4. Basic requirements: See the Checklist for All Drafts and basic sentence mechanics. Thesis statement: Insert a thesis sentence that points to your position.
Citations
JimS. “Quick Review of Logical Fallacies.” Jim’s Course Resources. Kapi’olani Community College, 22 Apr. 2011. Web. 7 Mar. 2015.
McManus, John. “Don’t Be Fooled: Use the SMELL Test to Separate Fact from Fiction Online.” MediaShift. PBS Hawaii, 7 Feb. 2013. Web. 7 Mar. 2015. [Alternate site: https://bit.ly/mcmanussmell] [WebCite alternative]
Henry, Alan. “How to Determine If a Controversial Statement Is Scientifically True.” Lifehacker. Lifehacker.com, 20 June 2012. Web. 7 Mar. 2015. [Alternate site: https://bit.ly/henryufo] [WebCite alternative]
“Evaluating Evidence.” Prescott College. [Alternate site: https://bit.ly/prescottevidence];
Evidence, The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Alternate source); Using Evidence. Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. (Alternate source).
Colavito, Jason. “Opinion: Congress Is Too Credulous on UFOs.” CNN, 28 July 2023. https://wordpress.com/post/eng100kcc.wordpress.com/2965
Hunt, Katie, and Ashley Strickland. “NASA Is Assembling a Team to Gather Data on Unidentifiable Events in the Sky.” CNN, 9 June 2022. (Alternate site: https://bit.ly/cnnnasaufo)
“US Navy Confirms UFO Videos Are the Real Deal.” YouTube, uploaded by CNN, 18 Sep. 2019, https://tinyurl.com/yyon7wkq.
Barnes, Julian E. “Many Military U.F.O. Reports Are Just Foreign Spying or Airborne Trash.” New York Times, 28 Oct. 2022. (Alternate site: https://eng100kcc.wordpress.com/2022/10/28/nyt-many-military-u-f-o-reports-are-just-foreign-spying-or-airborne-trash/)
“Declassified ‘UFO’ Videos.” YouTube, uploaded by ABC News, 28 Apr. 2020, https://tinyurl.com/yd3lzs3a.
“UFO: Pentagon Releases Three Leaked Videos – Is the Truth Finally Out There?” YouTube, uploaded by Sky News, 28 Apr. 2020, https://tinyurl.com/y552s6su.
“Brad Meltzer’s Decoded: Proof of UFOs Revealed (S2, E7).” YouTube, uploaded by History Channel, 17 July 2020, https://tinyurl.com/y556cudy.
Yuhas, Alan. “The Pentagon Released U.F.O. Videos: Don’t Hold Your Breath for a Breakthrough.” NY Times, 28 Apr. 2020, https://tinyurl.com/ybmrvftm.
Cooper, Helene, Ralph Blumenthal and Leslie Kean. “‘Wow, What Is That?’ Navy Pilots Report
Unexplained Flying Objects.” NY Times, 26 May 2019, https://tinyurl.com/y2vz4jq4.
Speigel, Lee. “Denver UFOs Mystify Local Media and Aviation Expert Steve Cowell (VIDEO).” Huffington Post. HuffingtonPost.com, 11 Nov. 2012. Web. 7 Mar. 2015.
Speigel, Lee. “History Channel Puts the Strongest UFO Evidence Under the Microscope.” Huffington Post. HuffingtonPost.com, 24 Aug. 2011. Web. 7 Mar. 2015.
“UFOs ‘On the Record’: Original Drawings from Eyewitness Accounts (PHOTOS).” Huffington Post. HuffingtonPost.com, 14 Sep. 2010. Web. 7 Mar. 2015.
“UFOs ‘On the Record’: Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Talk About What They Know (PHOTOS).” Huffington Post. HuffingtonPost.com, 23 Aug. 2010. Web. 7 Mar. 2015.
