Philosophy
The Critical Writing Assignment 1
Due at the end of Module Three. For this assignment, please make sure to analyze and discuss one (and only one!) of the following two classical arguments for the existence of God:
1. St. Anselm’s Ontological Argument 2. Clarke’s Cosmological Argument
You may argue either for or against the soundness of the argument, but you must take up and defend a specific position. Make sure to submit the Critical Writing Assignment 1 no later than Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT. (This Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)
PHI 110RS Critical Writing Assignment Guidelines & Rubric
There will be two (2) critical writing assignments. Topics for each writing assignment are in Module 3 (Assignment 1) and Module 6 (Assignment 2). Some generic requirements to be observed for all Writing Assignments include that all papers must:
Defend a thesis and should proceed according to the following format: Thesis, Argument, Objection(s), Response(s), Conclusion
Include citations to the primary required class readings. These and any additional sources must be properly cited using MLA format.
Fall within the following length requirements: 1200-1500 words.
Use a standard 10-12 pt. font and be double spaced. Critical Writing Assignments 1 and 2 are due no later than Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT of Modules 3 and 6 respectively. (These Dropbox baskets are linked to Turnitin.) Information on MLA Citation style can be found here: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ SEE RUBRIC ON NEXT PAGE
TOTAL: ___ / 120
Elements
Criteria
Score
Not Attempted (Criterion is
missing or not in evidence)
0-11.99%
Novice (does not meet expectations;
performance is substandard) 12-13.99%
Basic (works towards
meeting expectations; performance needs
improvement) 14-15.99%
Proficient (meets expectations;
performance is satisfactory)
16-17.99%
Exemplary (exceeds expectations;
performance is outstanding)
18-20%
Paper Topic 16.66%
Paper contains no thesis and/or
does not address the
essay prompt.
Thesis is difficult to discern and/or fails to address multiple parts of
the essay prompt.
Thesis is discernible, but not explicitly
stated in introductory paragraph and/or
addresses most, but not all, of parts of the
essay prompt.
Thesis statement is present in introductory
paragraph, but it is wordy, generic or unclear and/or paper addresses all parts of the essay prompt, but
not adequately.
Thesis statement is present in introductory
paragraph. It is concise, articulate, and narrowly
focused. Paper adequately addresses all parts of the essay prompt.
__/20
Length Requirements
16.66%
There was little or no evidence of a complete assignment.
Paper is entirely too short.
Paper contains a great deal of “fluff”
and still doesn’t meet the length
requirements
Paper is on the short side or meets requirements
only because it contains “fluff.”
Paper falls within the required length
requirements without going off topic.
__/20
Mechanics of Writing 16.66%
Little to no evidence of
proper writing mechanics.
The grammar of the paper greatly
impedes understanding of
content. Organizational
structure is unclear.
Paper needs a good deal of improvement
with respect to grammar, spelling,
and/or style. Organization and/or flow of ideas need
improvement.
Paper is mostly free of errors with respect to
grammar, spelling, and/or style, but needs some
improvement. Organizational structure
is adequate.
Paper is nearly perfect with respect to grammar,
spelling, and style. Organizational structure is clear and the paper
flows nicely.
__/20
Conceptual Analysis & Thoughtful
Engagement 16.66%
Paper exhibits a complete lack of
thoughtful engagement with
the text. Concepts are
identified, but not clearly defined. No attempt to
elaborate/ exemplify.
Paper exhibits very little thoughtful
engagement with the text. Few concepts are
clearly defined using elaboration/ exemplification.
Paper exhibits basic engagement with text,
but needs improvement. Some concepts are clearly
defined using elaboration/
exemplification,
Paper exhibits thoughtful understanding of the text, but some improvement needed. Most concepts are clearly defined using
elaboration/ exemplification.
Paper does an excellent job demonstrating an
accurate understanding of the text and goes beyond
mere summary. All relevant concepts are
clearly defined using elaboration/
exemplification.
__/20
Points of View/ Consideration of Objections
16.66%
Paper does not acknowledge the
existence of alternative points
of view. Does not state
objections to thesis.
Acknowledges existence of more than point of view, but does not clear
articulate a specific objection
and respond.
Acknowledges existence of more
than point of view, but considers only one.
States a specific objection to thesis, but makes no clear attempt to respond.
Acknowledges existence of more than point of
view. States at least one objection to thesis and responds, but needs some improvement.
Acknowledges existence of more than point of
view. Clearly and articulately states at least
one objection to thesis and then adequately
responds to the objection.
__/20
MLA Style/Citations
16.66%
Paper lacks both in-text citations and a proper
works cited list.
Paper lacks either in-text citations or
a proper works cited list, but not
both.
Paper contains in-text citations and a works cited list, but does not
follow MLA style.
Paper contains in-text citations and a works cited list, but several
stylistic errors are present.
Paper contains proper in- text citations and a works
cited list. Few stylistic errors are present.
__/20