How to Pick and Defend a Solution

As the final step in the analysis of Ms. H’s case, Dr. Jones has asked that each team to take a position on the ethical issue at hand, and write an team paper defending that position.

This step-by-step guide will help you prepare a persuasive paper.

1. Pick a solution. You now have a detailed analysis of this situation and a set of alternate solutions you might adopt. It’s time to review that analysis and take a position.

1. Review the deliverables you have created in each of the previous tasks. Make sure you understand:

   1. The problems the case presents and the ethical principles that apply.

   2. The resource material and the perspectives the articles introduced.

   3. The alternatives available, the parties potentially affected by each alternative, the consequences of each alternative, and how each addresses the ethical principles of the case, and any open questions that impact your position.
      
      
2. Develop a position. Carefully consider all of the information you have, and decide what you believe both about Ms. H’s case. Do you think Ms. H should recieve the transplant? Remember that whatever you decide for Ms. H has policy implications for future patients.  So, while you are making a decision about Ms. H, you are really making a broader decision about how the hospital should handle terminal patients when they want to proceed with a major surgery, like an organ transplant.
   
   Write your position clearly and concisely so it really says what you mean.  This is the position you will need to present and defend.

3. Defend your position. Part of defending your position is applying what you believe to the current situation, considering the consequences, and explaining why those consequences are better than others are. You should be able to argue both sides of an issue. Look at each alternative and ask yourself what is the most powerful argument for and against that position, and why you agree or disagree with it? 
   
   For information about writing an argument, please review the Writing section of the General Skills Resources link on the left menu.

4. Before you start writing, make sure you can answer each of the following questions:

   • What is the issue at stake?

   • What are the key principles surrounding this issue?

   • What are the alternatives?

   • What are the consequences of each of those alternatives?

   • What is your position?

   • What are the consequences of your position, both good and bad?

   • Why is your solution the best one?
     

5. Write your Ethical Analysis report.
1. Download the Ethical Analysis Report Template from the email.
   
   
2. Using the notes you created in your previous tasks, write a persuasive report outlining and defending your chosen solution.

• Remember, the purpose of a persuasive paper is to sway the beliefs of the readers and get them to agree with your position. Feel free to review the Writing section of the General Skills Resources link on the left menu if you need additional help.

6. Check your work. Before submitting your work, take a moment for detailed review.

• Did you develop a position?

• Did you outline the reasons why you believe your position is the correct one and how you think it is better than other possibilities?

• Did you use the Ethical Analysis Report template?

• Did you edit your paper, including running a spell and grammar check?

• Does your paper reflect the ideas of everyone on your team?

7. Submit your work. Review the checklist on the Submit Your Work section of this task and submit the paper to your mentor.