Precis/Summary Assignment (Worth 10% )
In 1-2 pages (double spaced, 12 pt. font), you will take an assigned article from the Biomedical Ethics textbook and summarize the argument in the article. The article summary must explain the thesis of the article – that is: what is the point the article is making? The summary must also explain the argument: how does the author arrive at their conclusion? Do they consider alternate positions and demonstrate their weaknesses?
Your summary will primarily paraphrase – rather than quoting – the original text. Other than key terms (which may be quoted, and should be appropriately referenced), your summary will explain the argument in your own words…..Chapter 1 of the Writing Philosophy textbook includes a useful and relevant demonstration of how to paraphrase or summarize an argument. Note that your summary will take a much longer text and generate a relatively shorter summary. But the principles are the same. Be sure that your summary captures the logic of the argument (what are the premises of the argument, and what is its conclusion?).
** For your own preference if you want to get the texts on hand the textbooks are:
- Biomedical Ethics: A Canadian Focus, Second Edition edited by Johnna FisherPress 2013 ISBN 978-0-19-544688-3
the bio medical ethics texts. thats the pages of the article you need to summarize. The title of the article is called: “Genetics and Reproductive Risk: Can Having Children Be Immoral? by: Laura M. Purdy”.
- Writing Philosophy A Guide for Canadian Students, Second edition edited by Lewis Vaughn and
Jillian Scott McIntosh, 2013 ISBN 978-0-19-544674-6