Quick Overview
• Write a 3-5 page paper in which you present an
argument for a moral claim, consider two objections,
and reply to both of them.
General Requirements
• This paper is an argumentative rather than descriptive paper.
This means that in this paper you will be trying your best
to develop a line of reasoning to support a thesis. By
supporting a thesis, I mean you will be giving us reasons
for thinking that the thesis is correct.
• Notice that arguments or lines of reasoning contain two sorts
of things: premises (the reasons or evidence we give to
support the thesis) and the conclusion (the thesis we are
attempting to establish).
• Keep in mind that arguments contain only statements. This
means that questions, commands, exclamations, and
expressions of emotion cannot be premises or conclusions.
They may, of course, play some other role in the paper, but
they are incapable of playing either of these two roles in
your argument.
• The paper must be at least 3 full double-spaced pages long
(although it may be much easier to establish your argument
if you write a 4 or 5 page paper). Please use Times New
Roman (or similar) in 12 point font.
• In your paper, you must do a number of things:
• You must develop an argument of your own for the
thesis
• You must raise two objections against your argument
• You must answer each of these objections
• Each of the above things should stand out clearly. If I have
trouble finding your two objections, this will hurt your
grade.
• This is not a research paper. I want to see your original
analysis. There is no requirement for research attached to
the project (no need for bibliography or sources). In fact,
you should not cite or consult any argumentative resources
beyond the readings for this course. (If you wish to look up
some information or data to use, that is okay, but be sure to
cite your sources using MLA format. If you are unfamiliar
with MLA, check out the following page for more details:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/1
would also be more than happy to meet with you to discuss
this or any other concern about the paper. ) If you are
already familiar with another citation format, this is
probably fine to use, but discuss it with me first. Under no
condition are you permitted to devise your own citation
method.
• The paper must be submitted online through the Canvas
