Freshman Composition: Narrowing Your Ideas for the Ethical Argument

Friday, June 19, 2020

Narrowing Your Ideas for the Ethical Argument

1. Ethical Argument Overview

2. Narrowing Your Ideas for the Ethical Argument

a. Arguing from the Christian Ethical Standard

b. Arguing from American Ethical Standards

c. Arguing from Medical Ethical Standards

3. Common Mistakes

4. BRAINSTORMING

5. Steps-to-Success

Narrowing Your Ideas

for your THESIS

A THESIS for an Ethical Argument needs to do many things:

· Address the specifics in the writing prompt,

· Assert a claim to be proven in the body paragraphs, and

· Declare the ethical standards that will be used for the ethical issue.

After reviewing the writing prompt, what is your gut reaction? How do you feel about the topic? Do you know enough about the issue to decide right now, or do you need to review some Christian and secular views on the topic?

Research the Issue to Figure Out Your Viewpoint

While it should be relatively easy to locate secular writings about genetic engineering, Christian writings on the subject may be harder to find. Here are some to consider reviewing to help you to gather your ideas and how you feel about the issue.

Helpful Readings: Biblical Worldview on Genetic Engineering

1. Genetics! Where Do We Stand as Christians?

2. Articles about Genetics from Christianity Today

3. Religious Beliefs Influence Views on Genetic Engineering

4. Genetic engineering: exploring its role in God's world

You can also review the Weekly Assignment folder for the suggested source research for the class assignment.

Ethical Arguments Require Ethical Proof

An ethical argument assignment is based on an ETHICAL ISSUE and it requires ETHICAL PROOF to persuade the audience that your viewpoint is correct. Review the writing prompt again. The ‘specific’ focus in the writing prompt is the ISSUE. You will need to argue a viewpoint about this ISSUE. The sources you use should be able to directly relate to the ETHICAL STANDARD that you have chosen as your driving force behind why you believe what you do about the ISSUE.

Choosing Your Ethical Proof

Remember, during the assignment overview, I explained three (3) primary ways of ethically arguing this ISSUE: Christian ethics, American ethics, or Medical ethics. (If you have not seen the assignment overview, visit HERE.)

Choosing the Direction for Your Thesis

There are three basic ways to go with this essay:

1. What are the ethical reasons why you believe scientists should proceed further regarding genetic modification?

· Scientists should proceed further regarding genetic modification because _________, _________, and _________. (The blank spots would be ethical reasons)

2. What are the ethical reasons why you believe scientists should continue with _________ in genetic modifications but not proceed further in regard to _________ genetic modification?

· Scientists should continue with _________ in genetic modifications because of _________, but they must not proceed further in regard to _________ genetic modification because of _________ and _________. (The “because” blank spots would be ethical reasons)

3. What are the ethical reasons why you believe scientists should not proceed further regarding genetic modification?

· Scientists must not proceed further regarding genetic modification because _________, _________, and _________. (The blank spots would be ethical reasons)

No matter which way you approach the assignment, your support for your claim needs to be based on ethical beliefs.

Therefore, you need to choose the ethical standard that you will use to argue your claim for this assignment, and you need to arrange your TOPIC SENTENCES for each body paragraph in a way that clearly shows your sub-point of the THESIS and the ethical defense to be made in the body paragraph.

Ethical Argument: How far scientists should go with genetic modification

Ethical Standard: The Bible

Ethical Argument Thesis: Scientists must stop all genetic modification because The Bible declares that God specifically designed each human, gives each one a purpose, and that the ‘golden rule’ must be adhered to by all men for unity on Earth.

Argument Body paragraph TOPIC SENTENCE Organization:

1. God specifically designed each human and therefore, no scientist should take liberties in modifying the genetic make-up of a human on any level.

2. God gave each life a clear purpose, and even with the sin of the world causing less-than-desirable traits at times, God has a plan for that life, faults and all.

3. The ‘golden rule’ (do to others as you would have them do to you) is essential for every scientist to live by since it relates to interpersonal relations with other humans and is supported by the Commandments.

Opposition Body paragraph TOPIC SENTENCE Organization:

4. Many scientists, and the governments that sponsor their experiments, feel genetic engineering is ethical, but it is not.

For the opposition paragraph, you need to clearly assert what will be argued in that body paragraph: the opposition’s side and that they are wrong.

Choosing Your Ethical Standard

Have you chosen an ethical standard from which you will prove your argument? Once you know the ethical standard, you can begin thinking through those principles that work within that standard and develop your THESIS. Not sure what the standards are in Christianity, America, or the Medical profession, take a look at the documents below.

· Arguing from the Christian Ethical Standard

· Arguing from American Ethical Standards

· Arguing from Medical Ethical Standards

Supporting Your Argument

in the body paragraphs

· There must be at least one source supporting your ethical views per body-paragraph.

· Your primary support should come from ethical standards.

· You can use extra outside support if it DEFENDS the ethical standards you are arguing prove your ethical claim.

You will support your claim in the body paragraphs.

1. Each body paragraph must begin with a TOPIC SENTENCE.

· In your own words.

· Do not use sources

· Clearly assert part of the THESIS in the TOPIC SENTENCE.

2. The sentences that follow the TOPIC SENTENCE must be you fully explaining the logic of your argument.

· 2-4 sentences

· Your own words

· No source usage

3. Then, once your argument point is clearly explained, use sources to DEFEND your claim.

· Your primary source should be some form of an ethical standard or principle that directly defends your claim.

· You can use additional source materials if need be, but they all must support the ethical reasoning behind your argument.

· You must have at least one outside source per body paragraph.

· Do not use too many quoted sources.

· Stay in control of the argument: do not let the sources make an argument for you. You must make the argument and the sources DEFEND your argument claim.

4. After each sentence that uses source materials, be sure to analyze the source content, evaluate why it was important, and explain to the audience how this content reiterates the validity of your belief.

5. Wrap up the whole paragraph by reflecting back to your TOPIC SENTENCE.

· The closing sentence must be in your own words

· No source usage

Be sure to see the Brainstorming handout for more ideas on how to gather your thoughts on the ethical issue using ethical proof.

Online links referred to in this handout:

The Assignment

· Ethical Argument Assignment Overview: https://fgc-enc1101.blogspot.com/p/16-week-course.html

· Brainstorming Handout: https://fgc-enc1101.blogspot.com/2020/06/two-brainstorming-samples-for-essay-2.html

Christianity

· 10 Commandments: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/10-commandments/the-ten-commandments/10-commandments-for-kids/

· Teach the Ten Commandments to Kids - FREE Printable ...

American