SOLVED: Your term paper is on Carl Sagan’s “The Fine Art of Baloney Detection.” There are three major sections, described in the rough outline below. You need to follow

Your term paper is on Carl Sagan’s “The Fine Art of Baloney Detection.” There are three major sections, described in the rough outline below. You need to follow this outline. Please label the three major sections, but do not label any subsections.
Here is the outline you should use:
Introductory paragraph:
The subject and purpose of the paper should be clearly stated
The example of baloney you address in the second section should be identified but not described in depth
I recommend writing this section after writing the rest of your paper.
First Section: Summary of Sagan’s article;
This section should include the following:
A thorough definition/explanation of baloney with references to the reading [this might not be given directly by Sagan]
His examples of baloney, with explanation
Tools for baloney detection
Do not list or cover all of the tools (pp.4-5); instead, pick several (at least 3) that you wish to elaborate on, especially those that you use in the second section. Explain them well and use examples.
Independent confirmation and Occam’s razor must be two of the tools explained here, and I highly recommend trying to use them in the second section. They almost always fit.
Do not go over all of the fallacies (pp.5-7); explain several, including those you will refer to in the second section.
Second section: Application of his tool kit to a baloney example of your choice.
I will allow a lot of flexibility on your choice here. If you use a type of example like one of Sagan’s examples (like astrologists or psychics), you can’t just copy his. Come up with your own. So, for example, if you do a medium, pick a contemporary one, like John Edward. Televangelists would be good. Commercials and advertising sometimes work, but you might want to consider a group or category of them (and make sure to refer to specific claims they make). Another would be “health and wellness” companies, like Goop. Remember, the “bigger” the system, the more you have to write on.
Explain the theory or belief system thoroughly, but do not focus too much on irrelevant background information (like biography). Focus on material relevant for baloney detection.
The baloney must be detected by the student, not a secondary source.
Explain why it is baloney using Sagan’s arguments and tools you described in the prior section.
Feel free to ask me whether your baloney example would work.
Examples of baloney that worked well for papers (you don’t have to choose one of these):
Specific astrologers (like Walter Mercado), specific psychics (e.g., Tyler Henry), specific ghost hunter shows, Goop.com (there is a ton of material here), the use of specific crystals for curing various things, specific non-traditional medicine
In all cases, specific sources with specific claims need to be discussed. Nothing general, such as addressing “astrology,” “psychics,” or ” drug advertising.”
Examples of subjects that are not good for this paper (do not choose one of these):
Anything backed by the majority of scientists and other experts in a field (evolution, dinosaurs, round/flat earth…), any conspiracy theory (like the truth of the moon landing; round/flat earth…), rhetoric from politicians (on gun control, abortion, justice and race)
Remember, bullshit and lies do not automatically makes something baloney.
Third section: Wrap up of paper and evaluation of Sagan’s arguments and tools.
Give a very brief summary of what you did in the first two sections (one or two sentences).
Connect the first two sections to the overall importance of detecting baloney.
Evaluate how well Sagan’s tools work for detecting baloney.

Other comments:
Do NOT commit straw man fallacy. Do not misrepresent someone else’s position, then call it baloney. Have specific quotes from specific people.
Also, you can use any format you’d like (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.), just please be consistent and double space lines. You can also use any font and size you want, but I prefer a 12 point standard font.
Again, the paper must be double spaced.
I recommend not using secondary sources. You absolutely do not need them.
There is a 2,200 word limit. Points will be deducted for going over this limit.