“Common Belief Fallacy” by David McRaney: CommonBelief copy.pdf
Explanatory Essay: the style should be consistently objective, neutral–a clear presentation of the original material.
For this essay, select one of the fallacies we have covered thus far, and show how this fallacy is exemplified by one other reading we have done–either a fiction or non-fiction text (barring McRaney’s articles). That is, how does the course text (that you have chosen) provide a situation, an argument, a moment, that reveals the workings of the fallacy specifically.
From an organizational standpoint, in your essay, first explain the fallacy. You will want to (1) explain the basic thesis, and (2) any other idea(s) that your developing analysis will refer back to. Then, introduce the moment from the fiction/non-fiction reading that connects with the fallacy. (3) Provide the broad context for the moment you are analyzing, (4) followed by an unpacking of the moment or moments, and finally, (5) how the fallacy is being realized through the sequence.
This essay should have a minimum of four substantial quotes.
This essay needs to follow the traditional analytic template. You need to have an introduction that will state the article’s name, the author, the particular issues of each body paragraph. Then, in terms of the body, the first sentence should introduce the topic, the second should introduce the quote, next implement the actual quote, follow that by an in-depth explanation of the meaning of the quote/why it is significant as a concept, and finally transition to the next proposition. Be sure to have a conclusion as well. Without following this template, your essay will be incomplete and need to be redone as late (considering if the word count is met).
MLA–12 pt. font, double-spaced, 4 Full pages (1000 word minimum)–no work cited required. Only use class assigned readings.