Iraq: Guide to Critical Analysis
This guide is intended to help you evaluate the controversial topics provided in EBSCO Publishing’s Points of View Reference Center™. Using this analysis will enhance your ability to read critically, develop your own perspective on the issue of Iraq, and write or debate an effective argument on the topic.
Before You Read
• In a single sentence, state what you currently think is the controversy surrounding Iraq.
• On the opening screen, Browse by Category, click on "War & Peace," and then click on "Iraq."
• View the Result List of four records on the Points of View tab that includes this guide.
Each topic in Points of View Reference Center™ has three main Points of View essays. While there may be many opinions on the issue, these essays are designed to provide a base from which you may engage in further analysis:
• The Overview provides general background information on the issue.
• The Point essay presents one opinion on the issue in a persuasive position essay.
• The Counterpoint essay offers an alternative or opposite view of the issue.
As You Read
Reading all three essays will enable you to better understand the controversy, providing a foundation from which you can broaden your knowledge of the topic.
• Read the Overview, Point and Counterpoint essays. You will be able to move between the Overview, the Point and the Counterpoint essays by clicking on the colored rectangles in the sidebar featuring the Points of View icon.
• Take notes on the main ideas. Start by printing out the essay and highlighting the main ideas and circling key words.
• Review the terms in the Understanding the Discussion section of the Overview.
• Organize your ideas. Click on article "Organize Your Ideas Visually" on the sidebar. Use one of the graphic organizer templates provided to break the essay down into its main points,
Judge Fact and Opinion
Click on the sidebar article titled "Judge Fact vs. Opinion" and review.
FACTS
- Facts are statements that can be proved true or false.
- Facts tell what actually happened.
- Facts tell what is happening now.
- Facts state something that can be easily observed or verified.
OPINIONS
- Opinions are statements that cannot be proved true or false because they express a person's thoughts, beliefs, feelings or estimates.
- Opinions express worth or value.
- Opinions tell what should or should not be thought or done.
- Opinions are based on what seems true or probable.
Note the difference between the following facts and opinions:
Example 1:
Fact: Among the several reasons the Bush administration cited as justification for a preemptive strike against Iraq was the insistence that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction.
Opinion: It seems more likely that the U.S. invaded Iraq to gain control of Iraq’s vast oil reserves.
• In this example, an opinion is signaled by the words, "It seems more likely." The opinion offers no evidence to back up the suggestion that oil motivated the invasion.
Example 2:
Fact: During the Iran-Iraq War (1980–88), the United States re-established diplomatic relations with Iraq and provided it with millions of dollars’ worth of loans.
Opinion: As a result of monetary aid from the United States, Saddam Hussein became increasingly powerful and dangerous.
• In this example, the opinion makes a connection between U.S. aid and Saddam Hussein’s consolidation of power, a connection that, though possible, cannot absolutely be proved.
Example 3:
Fact: In March 2003, the United States led an international coalition into war against Iraq.
Opinion: The invasion toppled a dictator who was ready and willing to use weapons of mass destruction against any of his enemies.
• In this example, the opinion concludes that Saddam Hussein would most certainly have used weapons of mass destruction, although there is no way of proving the extent of Saddam Hussein’s intentions at that time.
Example 4:
Fact: The United Nations Security Council found Iraq to be in material breach of its obligations and stated that there would be "serious consequences" if it didn’t disarm immediately.
Opinion: The failure of the United Nations to follow through with its threat of "serious consequences" forced the United States to take action to protect itself and its allies.
• In this example, the opinion suggests that the United States and perhaps other nations were under an immediate threat from Iraq, although the severity of the threat can only be estimated.
Based on the criteria listed above, select:
- Three fact statements from the Point essay on Iraq
- Three opinion statements from the Counterpoint essay on Iraq
LOOKING DEEPER INTO IRAQ
You will see several links in the Related Items box on the right hand side of the screen. Exploring these added features will enhance your understanding of the topic you're studying.
• Click on one of the photos in the Related Items and record your reaction to the picture you chose. Did viewing this picture change your current view on Iraq? How?
• Under the What the Experts Say tab, click on the link and read the article provided. Is the author of this article promoting the same argument put forth in the Point or the Counterpoint essay? If the writer is supporting a new viewpoint on the topic, what is it?
• The Result List also offers many other kinds of research articles, such as Periodicals, Newspapers, Reference Books, etc. Click on one of these tabs and read one of the articles. What source tab did you use and what is one benefit of using this type of source? What is one drawback? What new information did you learn from reading this article?
YOU DECIDE
Based on the readings and review of the Related Items offered, consider the Point and Counterpoint essays in light of your own set of personal values.
• Reflect on which arguments about Iraq you accept: Point, Counterpoint, or a completely different argument. For you, what is the single most compelling argument regarding Iraq, and why?
Write an 800-1,000-word essay response to the above question that contains a thesis statement and 2-3 supporting arguments. See "Writing a Thesis Statement" and "Writing a Persuasive Essay" on the sidebar for tips on how to write your essay.
• Use facts from other resources found in Points of View Reference Center, other than the Overview, Point, and Counterpoint essays. See "Judge Fact vs. Opinion" on the sidebar to help determine the value of the information you find.
• Investigate some of the sources cited in the Bibliography at the end of each Point of View essay to see what kind of sources those authors consulted.
• For website information, first review the article titled "Evaluate a Website" on the sidebar. Use the information you find there to guide your decisions on which site’s information would add value to your essay.
• Suggest ways in which the controversy surrounding Iraq could be resolved.
See these other Points of View "How To" topics for additional help. They can be found on the sidebar of each essay.
- Writing a Topic Sentence
- Taking Good Notes
- From Notes to Outline
- Visual Ways to Organize Your Ideas
- Writing a Conclusion
- Citing Sources
- Creating a Bibliography
- Writing a Research Paper
DEBATE IT
• Debate the issue. To create an effective debate, refer to the tips offered in the "Debate Strategies," "Give an Oral Presentation," and "Start a Debate Club" articles in the sidebar.
• Have someone else read either the Point or the Counterpoint essay on Iraq. Imagine you are facing this person in a debate setting. Take notes on the points (contentions) you would make to oppose the arguments (rebuttals).
• When the speaker is finished, respond to the arguments presented with opposing arguments, pointing out any contradictions you may have heard.
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