Phil 100: Essay Prompt

Philosophy 100: Logic and Critical Thinking
Essay Prompt

Your assignment is to watch the film Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, and then write a 3-5 page paper in which you perform a rhetorical analysis on the film using the resources we have discussed in class. Of particular importance for this essay will be our discussions of credibility, the fallacies and slanters, and my lecture on science and evolutions. A successful essay will do the following:

  • Clearly articulate the issues discussed in the film and articulate the attitude of the film and filmmakers to that issue. (What is the film about? What does it have to say about this issue?)
  • Discuss how issues of science and the theory of evolution are presented in the film.
  • Describe and explain how the filmmakers present their point of view and discuss some of the tactics they use. In doing so you should:
    • Discuss the credibility of the filmmakers and the individuals interviewed in the film using the tools we discussed in class.
    • Discuss two fallacies committed by the filmmakers.
    • Discuss two slanters used by the filmmakers.
  • Take a stand on the film. This is an analysis so you should draw some conclusions about the film: saying whether or not people should go see the film; whether or not you liked it; and why.
  • Employ the standards of good writing we discuss in class.

The essay should be typed, double spaced with 1” margins and 10-12 point font. It is due on the last day of class, Thursday, March 18. In addition to the final draft, you also need to bring several drafts for peer editing to class on Tuesday, March  16. This rough draft will not be graded, but failure to bring a rough draft to class will result in an F on this assignment.
Comments