Sr Phil

Final Paper Assignment

Phil 1301

Instructions

For your final paper, you will revise and expand one of your reflection journal entries from this semester into an argumentative paper on a topic in philosophy. You may choose one of these three options: Reflection Journal for Module 7 (on the problem of human freedom), Reflection Journal for Module 9 (on the problem of knowledge), or Reflection Journal for Module 11 (on the problem of moral truth). You should think of your original journal submission as a rough draft that will be carefully edited, reorganized, and improved for your final paper assignment. In your paper, you will defend a position on the philosophical problem of freedom, knowledge, or moral truth.

Your final paper assignment will follow a somewhat similar (but not identical) format as the reflection journal entry (see below) but will be a polished piece of writing that shows considerable improvement from the journal entry you submitted on the topic. This means that you will need to take into account any feedback provided on your grading rubric for the journal entry you select (view comments by clicking on your grading rubric in the grade book) and that you will want to expand upon your writing to include:

1) a clear and well-crafted thesis statement [which you will develop as a module activity in Module 14]

2) support for your thesis that includes strong and accurate arguments

3) careful consideration of the relevance of the topic

Additionally, your final paper should be mechanically strong and well-organized with serious depth and consideration of the topic, including a discussion of possible objections to your position.

Please note: In Unit 7 (in Module 14) you will read about crafting a thesis and you will submit your thesis statement as part of your paper writing

process. Additionally, you will submit a detailed paper outline before submitting your final draft by the due date listed on the course schedule.

Paper Specifications

You will submit your final paper as a PDF. Please use a 12 point font, double spacing, and one-inch margins. Please do not include a cover page. You may use either APA or MLA for citations. This is not a research paper and ideally, you will refer only to the course textbook and materials. You do not need to include a Works Cited page if you use only our course textbook and materials though you should use in-text citations for any non-original text, even if you’ve reworded the idea or statement. For any other source (this is not recommended), you must cite your sources and include a Works Cited page. Do not plagiarize; please refer to the syllabus for the penalties for doing so.

Writing in the first person (i.e. “My thesis is that…”. or “In this paper, I will prove that…”) is acceptable and preferable in writing philosophy papers. You should aim to be clear and to provide explanations throughout your paper to make your points and ideas obvious to the reader.

Your paper should be between 3 and 5 pages in length. [This does not include the Works Cited page if you are including one]. There is no penalty for exceeding the page limit. Papers that are short will likely not receive full credit for elements considered in the grading rubric.

In Unit 7 you will be provided with several very short guides to writing philosophy papers. Please read these guides before beginning your final paper.

Paper Structure/Organization

For whichever topic you choose (freedom, knowledge, or moral truth), please use the following outline.

A. Introduction Paragraph a. Context of the debate/issue (brief) b. Clarification of terminology (if necessary) c. Thesis statement d. Brief discussion of how you will defend your thesis

e. Brief discussion of why the issue is relevant or important

B. Argument 1 in Support of Your Thesis a. Explanation of the argument b. Clarification of terminology (if necessary) c. Statement of how the argument supports your thesis

C. Argument 2 in Support of Your Thesis a. Explanation of the argument b. Clarification of terminology (if necessary) c. Statement of how the argument supports your thesis

D. Consideration of an Objection to Your Argument a. Explanation of the objection b. Clarification of terminology (if necessary) c. Statement of how the objection challenges your position d. Respond to the objection (i.e. show how it fails)

E. Conclusion a. Restate the thesis b. Summarize the strategy you have used to defend your position c. Make a final effort to establish the plausibility of your position

Questions?

Please remember that I am happy to help if you have any questions or concerns or if you find yourself struggling with this (or any!) assignment. Just send me an email; it would be my pleasure to help. You may also wish to contact our embedded tutor for help and feedback on your writing.

Grading Rubric

I’ll use the following rubric to grade your final paper.

Component 9-10 Exemplary

7-8 Adequate

0-6 Deficient

Following Instructions

Paper follows all instructions.

Paper follows most but not all instructions.

Paper fails to follow several assignment instructions.

Accuracy

Paper presents an entirely accurate understanding of the material being discussed.

Paper displays a mostly accurate understanding of the material being discussed.

Paper displays more than a few inaccuracies in understanding the material being discussed.

Thesis and Introduction

The introduction gives a targeted, clear, and relevant thesis and discusses the strategy to be employed in defending the thesis. The introduction makes a convincing case for why the issue is relevant.

The introduction may give only a somewhat clear and focused thesis and/or it may inadequately discuss the strategy to be employed in defending the thesis. The introduction may make a less than fully convincing case for why the issue is relevant.

The introduction may give a largely unfocused and unclear thesis and/or it may fail to discuss the strategy to be employed in defending the thesis. The introduction may also give an unconvincing case for why the issue is relevant.

Evidence in Support of the

Thesis

Paper makes use of the arguments and thinkers explored in the

Paper makes some, but not enough, use of the arguments and thinkers

Paper only minimally makes use of the arguments and thinkers

textbook in supporting the student’s position. Paper provides exemplary and convincing support for the student’s position.

explored in the textbook to support the student’s position. Additionally, the paper may provide only somewhat adequate and convincing support for the student’s position.

explored in the textbook. Additionally, the paper may fail to provide convincing support for the student’s position.

Consideration of Objection

Paper fully considers a strong objection to the student’s position, fully explains the challenge, and shows how the objection fails to threaten the student’s position.

Paper may consider a weaker objection to the student’s position and/or may give a less than full explanation of the challenge and/or the student may not fully refute the objection.

Paper may not consider an objection that challenges the student’s position and/or may fail to explain the challenge. Additionally, the paper may not make an attempt to refute the challenge or may make only a surface-level effort to refute the challenge.

Depth of Explanation

Paper gives a fully adequate explanation throughout the paper.

Paper may give a less than fully adequate explanation in

Paper fails to give an adequate explanation in several

one section of the paper.

sections, or more, of the paper.

Quality of Expression

and Preparation

Paper is well expressed and displays evidence of being carefully prepared and edited.

Paper demonstrates average expression with a few deficiencies in preparation and/or editing.

Paper demonstrates below-average expression and a lack of careful preparation and/or editing.

Total Score Possible: 70 points.