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PHIL 1100 Inquiry, Argument, and Debate

Pro Con Encyclopedia Articles

Here are some databases that provide pro/con overviews of various topics. These can help you develop ideas for how you will develop your argument and how someone might try to argue the opposite side.

Argumentative Presentation

You will deliver an argumentative presentation which means you take a position or view on a topic and offer an argument for that position.

Possible Topics

  • A political position (e.g., arguing for or against a particular policy like Universal Basic Income).
  • Critically evaluating pieces of media (e.g., arguing that The Office is better than Parks and Recreation).
  • A debate within a particular subculture (e.g., arguing that the College Football Playoff Committee should have put Florida State in the 2023 playoffs instead of Alabama).
  • Trying to objectively justify one of your opinions (e.g., dogs are better than cats).

Developing a Topic

Once you have a few possible topics, answer the following questions for each of them:

  • What do I already know about this topic?
  • What would I like to know more about this topic?
  • What would I like to argue about this topic? (What position will you take?)

Developing a Position

  • Be specific. What is your position and why.
  • A level of complexity that would lead to a full presentation.
  • It is open enough to interpretation that rational people could agree or disagree with you.