This week, we will begin conceptualizing the topic we want to work with for our debate in Week 9. If you missed the resource about Picking a Topic, revisit it here.
Once you have picked your topic, you will research it, working to understand the current academic discourse surrounding the topic rather than choosing a side to begin with. Research informs understanding, so we want to start there.
Each week’s assignment is built on the one before it. This first assignment of the AI debate unit is all about researching a diverse array of sources to find three that meet the requirements listed below. Begin by researching the conversation surrounding your topic through reliable sources using the guidelines provided in the weekly lecture.
For each source, complete all sections in the template below. You must find three credible sources that represent different aspects of the topic:
· Supportive perspective: A source that argues in favor of or highlights benefits.
· Critical (or opposing) perspective: A source that questions, challenges, or highlights risks.
· Contextual/background source: A more neutral or explanatory source that provides data, history, or definitions.
Remember that you have access to the SMART Source Credibility Checklist, so be sure to use it to evaluate the sources you consider using this week.
Download and use this TEMPLATE Download TEMPLATE.
SUPPORTIVE PERSPECTIVE: A source that argues in favor of or highlights benefits
1. A full APA reference
2. Summarize the main idea of the source with a minimum of five sentences without using quotes.
3. Identify the author’s purpose and potential bias.
4. Pull 1–2 quotes, statistics, or examples from this source that you might use later.
5. How will the information in this source be used in your argument? Be specific in at least 1-2 sentences.
CRITICAL (Opposing) PERSPECTIVE: A source that questions, challenges, or highlights risks
1. A full APA reference
2. Summarize the main idea of the source with a minimum of five sentences without using quotes.
3. Identify the author’s purpose and potential bias.
4. Pull 1–2 quotes, statistics, or examples from this source that you might use later.
5. How will the information in this source be used in your argument? Be specific in at least 1-2 sentences.
CONTEXTUAL/BACKGROUND SOURCE: A more neutral or explanatory source that provides data, history, or definitions
1. A full APA reference
2. Summarize the main idea of the source with a minimum of five sentences without using quotes.
3. Identify the author’s purpose and potential bias.
4. Pull 1–2 quotes, statistics, or examples from this source that you might use later.
5. How will the information in this source be used in your argument? Be specific in at least 1-2 sentences.
