· You are to write an argumentative essay.
PROMPT
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· In class we discussed James Rachels’ critique of Cultural Relativism. Do you find his criticisms persuasive? Why or why not?
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· Your paper should be 4-5 pages.
· Your paper should be doubled-spaced with the following margins: 1” top & bottom; 1.25 inch left & right.
· You must use Times New Roman, 12 point font.
· You should include the following information (single-spaced) in the top left corner: (1) Your name, (2) Name of the Class, (3) Date.
· List page numbers in the lower right corner.
· You may use any of the following methods for citation: MLA, APA, or Chicago. Whichever one you choose, please use it consistently.
Reading of this paper is ATTACHED.
Attached also is Follow step guide for paper and weekly readings and lectures on how to look at Arguments.
EVALUTING ARGUMENTS
DISTILLING ARGUMENTS
Writing Philosophy Papers
Writing Philosophy Papers
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Writing a Philosophy Pape
Is probably different from other writing you’ve done.
This is not a research paper.
You are to defend a single position with argument.
To do this you must offer reasons for your position and respond to potential problems with your reasons and your position.
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Prompt
In class we discussed James Rachels’ critique of Cultural Relativism. Do you find his criticisms persuasive? Why or why not?
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Guidelines
Your paper should be 4-5 pages.
Your paper should be doubled-spaced with the following margins: 1” top & bottom; 1.25 inch left & right.
You must use Times New Roman, 12 point font.
You should include the following information (single-spaced) in the top left corner: (1) Your name, (2) Name of the Class, (3) Date.
List page numbers in the lower right corner.
You must staple your paper in the upper left corner. Please do not hand in loose paper. Please do not use a paper clip.
You may use any of the following methods for citation: MLA, APA, or Chicago. Whichever one you choose, please use it consistently.
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Plagiarism
…is taking someone else’s work and passing it off as your own.
Plagiarism is cheating and will result in an F on this assignment.
If you use someone else’s work, YOU MUST GIVE CREDIT.
Rule of thumb: if you (1) use 4 or more exact words, (2) a term the author has coined, or (3) an idea unique to the author, you must give credit.
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Getting Started
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The first thing you need to do is figure out what you’re going to defend.
Be pragmatic.
You may need to change once you get going.
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Your Audience
For your paper, assume that you are talking with someone who is:
A normal adult of reasonable intelligence,
Is not familiar with the terms & concepts we’ve covered in class,
Is open to hearing your side, but may take some persuading,
Is a professional colleague.
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Secondly, you need to keep in mind who you’re writing for. Knowing you’re audience will affect every aspect of your paper.
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Good
Excellent
Thesis Statement
(5%) Student provides no thesis statement.
Student provides thesis statement, but it lacks specificity/is vague and fails to provide reader with clear direction of the paper’s purpose Student provides thesis statement that provides reader a clear sense of what the paper will defend, but lacks details concerning how it will be defended Student provides thesis statement that provides reader a clear sense of what the paper will defend, and how it will be defended
Engagement with Readings & Lecture
(30%) Student: (a) fails to engage with reading/lectures, (b) engagement is very superficial, or (c) engagement contains significant e
ors Student engages with readings/lectures some but (a) lacks sufficient depth, or (b) contains some e
ors Student engages with readings/lectures at a suitable level and is free of major e
ors Student engages with readings/lectures at a significant level and contains no e
ors
Argumentation
(20%) The student makes no argument or establishes no clear position to be defended. The student makes an attempt to offer argumentation for a position, but (a) their position is not clearly defined, or (a) their argument lacks persuasive force The student makes a reasonable argument, for a clearly defined position. Their argument may contain some weaknesses or unargued assumptions/premises The student makes a strong argument, for a clearly defined position, considers potential objections carefully, and has no obvious unargued assumptions/premises
Organization
(20%) The student’s paper is highly disorganized/does not follow the required outline. The student’s paper has a discernable organization and somewhat adheres to the required outline. The student’s paper has a clear organization and mostly adheres to the required outline. The student’s paper has a clear organization, and adheres exactly to the required outline
Writing Style
(20%)
The student’s writing lacks sophistication, or contains numerous awkward constructions. The student’s writing displays average level of sophistication and some awkward/vague/obscure constructions. The student’s writing displays an appropriate (college) level of sophistication, but may contain some awkward or vague constructions. The student’s writing displays a high level of sophistication, appropriate word use, and no awkward constructions
Gramma
(5%) The student’s paper contains significant grammatical e
ors The student’s paper contains notable grammatical e
ors. Student’s paper contains few grammatical e
ors. Student’s paper contains no grammatical e
ors.
Grading Ru
ic
Poo
Fai
Good
Excellent
Thesis Statement
(5%) Student provides no thesis statement.
Student provides thesis statement, but it lacks specificity/is vague and fails to provide reader with clear direction of the paper’s purpose Student provides thesis statement that provides reader a clear sense of what the paper will defend, but lacks details concerning how it will be defended Student provides thesis statement that provides reader a clear sense of what the paper will defend, and how it will be defended
Engagement with Readings & Lecture
(30%) Student: (a) fails to engage with reading/lectures, (b) engagement is very superficial, or (c) engagement contains significant e
ors Student engages with readings/lectures some but (a) lacks sufficient depth, or (b) contains some e
ors Student engages with readings/lectures at a suitable level and is free of major e
ors Student engages with readings/lectures at a significant level and contains no e
ors
Argumentation
(20%) The student makes no argument or establishes no clear position to be defended. The student makes an attempt to offer argumentation for a position, but (a) their position is not clearly defined, or (a) their argument lacks persuasive force The student makes a reasonable argument, for a clearly defined position. Their argument may contain some weaknesses or unargued assumptions/premises The student makes a strong argument, for a clearly defined position, considers potential objections carefully, and has no obvious unargued assumptions/premises
Organization
(20%) The student’s paper is highly disorganized/does not follow the required outline. The student’s paper has a discernable organization and somewhat adheres to the required outline. The student’s paper has a clear organization and mostly adheres to the required outline. The student’s paper has a clear organization, and adheres exactly to the required outline
Writing Style
(20%)
The student’s writing lacks sophistication, or contains numerous awkward constructions. The student’s writing displays average level of sophistication and some awkward/vague/obscure constructions. The student’s writing displays an appropriate (college) level of sophistication, but may contain some awkward or vague constructions. The student’s writing displays a high level of sophistication, appropriate word use, and no awkward constructions
Gramma
(5%) The student’s paper contains significant grammatical e
ors The student’s paper contains notable grammatical e
ors. Student’s paper contains few grammatical e
ors. Student’s paper contains no grammatical e
ors.
Grading Ru
ic
Your Introduction
The purpose of your introduction is to (surprise surprise) INTRODUCE the reader to your topic and state what you will argue.
As such, it should help the reader by providing a basic blueprint of your paper.
Typically has two parts:
Introductory Remarks
Thesis Statement
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Two Parts of the Introduction
(1) Introductory Remarks
Purpose is to set up reader for your Thesis Statement.
Don’t wo
y about trying to grab my attention.
Just cut to the chase.
Never EVER EVER EVER start a paper with a sentence like this:
“Since the dawn of time…”
“Webster’s defines “____” as …”
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Two Parts of the Introduction
(2) Thesis Statement
A Thesis Statement is not necessarily a single sentence.
It should accomplish two things:
Tell what Position you are going to take
“I will defend __.”
Give a
ief overview of the arguments you will develop in the main body of your paper.
State the specific points you plan to make.
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Bad Thesis Statements
“I will discuss moral realism.”
“The purpose of this essay is to inform readers on what is Moral Relativism, what is Moral Realism, my stance in the argument, and why I believe one side is more plausible than the other.”
“I will state my personal stance on the subject as well as a counter argument for moral realism using points given in the power points, readings, and lectures provided throughout this class.”
“In this paper I will give reasons for and against my views on moral realism.”
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Good Introduction & Thesis Statement
Cultural Relativism consists of two claims: (1) there are no objective moral truths, and (2) moral truths are determined by each individual culture. In this essay I will argue that Cultural Relativism is untenable. I defend this for two reasons. First, the main argument in favor of Cultural Relativism, the Cultural Differences argument, is unsuccessful. Second, Cultural Relativism is committed to the highly implausible consequence that all cultures are morally equivalent.
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Good Introduction & Thesis Statement
Cultural Relativism consists of two claims: (1) there are no objective moral truths, and (2) moral truths are determined by each individual culture. In this essay I will argue that Cultural Relativism is untenable. I defend this for two reasons. First, the main argument in favor of Cultural Relativism, the Cultural Differences argument, is unsuccessful. Second, Cultural Relativism is committed to the highly implausible consequence that all cultures are morally equivalent.
Introductory Remarks
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Good Introduction & Thesis Statement
Cultural Relativism consists of two claims: (1) there are no objective moral truths, and (2) moral truths are determined by each individual culture. In this essay I will argue that Cultural Relativism is untenable. I defend this for two reasons. First, the main argument in favor of Cultural Relativism, the Cultural Differences argument, is unsuccessful. Second, Cultural Relativism is committed to the highly implausible consequence that all cultures are morally equivalent.
Introductory Remarks
Statement
of Position
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Good Introduction & Thesis Statement
Cultural Relativism consists of two claims: (1) there are no objective moral truths, and (2) moral truths are determined by each individual culture. In this essay I will argue that Cultural Relativism is untenable. I defend this for two reasons. First, the main argument in favor of Cultural Relativism, the Cultural Differences argument, is unsuccessful. Second, Cultural Relativism is committed to the highly implausible consequence that all cultures are morally equivalent.
Introductory Remarks
Statement
of Position
Brief overview of arguments
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BE SPECIFIC!!!!!
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Poo
Fai
Good
Excellent
Thesis Statement
(5%) Student provides no thesis statement.
Student provides thesis statement, but it lacks specificity/is vague and fails to provide reader with clear direction of the paper’s purpose Student provides thesis statement that provides reader a clear sense of what the paper will defend, but lacks details concerning how it will be defended Student provides thesis statement that provides reader a clear sense of what the paper will defend, and how it will be defended
Engagement with Readings & Lecture
(30%) Student: (a) fails to engage with reading/lectures, (b) engagement is very superficial, or (c) engagement contains significant e
ors Student engages with readings/lectures some but (a) lacks sufficient depth, or (b) contains some e
ors Student engages with readings/lectures at a suitable level and is free of major e
ors Student engages with readings/lectures at a significant level and contains no e
ors
Argumentation
(20%) The student makes no argument or establishes no clear position to be defended. The student makes an attempt to offer argumentation for a position, but (a) their position is not clearly defined, or (a) their argument lacks persuasive force The student makes a reasonable argument, for a clearly defined position. Their argument may contain some weaknesses or unargued assumptions/premises The student makes a strong argument, for a clearly defined position, considers potential objections carefully, and has no obvious unargued assumptions/premises
Organization
(20%) The student’s paper is highly disorganized/does not follow the required outline. The student’s paper has a discernable organization and somewhat adheres to the required outline. The student’s paper has a clear organization and mostly adheres to the required outline. The student’s paper has a clear organization, and adheres exactly to the required outline
Writing Style
(20%)
The student’s writing lacks sophistication, or contains numerous awkward constructions. The student’s writing displays average level of sophistication and some awkward/vague/obscure constructions. The student’s writing displays an appropriate (college) level of sophistication, but may contain some awkward or vague constructions. The student’s writing displays a high level of sophistication, appropriate word use, and no awkward constructions
Gramma
(5%) The student’s paper contains significant grammatical e
ors The student’s paper contains notable grammatical e
ors. Student’s paper contains few grammatical e
ors. Student’s paper contains no grammatical e
ors.
Grading Ru
ic
Engaging With Readings/Lecture
You must discuss the information we’ve discussed in readings/lecture.
You will be graded on two things:
level of detail,
level of accuracy
Don’t forget who your audience is!!!
Also, BE CHARITABLE!
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Poo
Fai
Good
Excellent
Thesis Statement
(5%) Student provides no thesis statement.
Student provides thesis statement, but it lacks specificity/is vague and fails to provide reader with clear direction of the paper’s purpose Student provides thesis statement that provides reader a clear sense of what the paper will defend, but lacks details concerning how it will be defended Student provides thesis statement that provides reader