ethical essay

ETHICAL ESSAY GUIDELINES MILLIE SHAW

POINTS VALUE 100 Points (10% of your grade)

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS Write an essay in which you examine an ethical dilemma from a variety of ethical decision making approaches, discuss your own approach to ethical decision making which arises from your core beliefs, and determine the action that the actors in the ethical dilemma should take. - 600 to 800 Words (about 3 to 4 pages); Please no more than 4 pages - 4 Source Citations (Include Case Study and Framework article + 2 additional sources) - Academic Level Writing: Proper word usage, clear and effective phrasing, correct spelling, syntax,

grammar, etc. - MLA Format

- Document Settings: 1 inch margins, Double Spaced, legible 12 point font (i.e. Times New Roman)

- Page Header: Name and Page Number in the upper right corner of every page - Title Block:

- Name, Instructor’s Name, Course Number and Section, Date in the upper left corner of the first page only

- Essay Title is centered on the first page - Citations:

- In-Text Citations - Works Cited

INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU START WRITING: PREPARE YOURSELF AND THINK ABOUT THE ISSUES - Read A Framework For Thinking Ethically and determine the questions asked/concerns addressed by

each of the five approaches to ethical decision making (Utilitarian, Rights, Fairness/Justice, Common Good, and Virtue)

- Read the case study, Picking Up The Slack, and make sure you understand the ethical dilemma that Greg is facing

- Find 2 additional sources of information about ethics, ethical decision making, ethical dilemmas, etc. (Check the “Additional Sources” folder in the Ethics Assignment on eCampus)

- Think about your own approach to ethical decision making and how you would resolve the ethical dilemma if you were in Greg’s position.

- Identify your core beliefs and values and the origin of these elements. Determine specific instances or examples from your personal history that led you to these values and beliefs.

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ETHICAL ESSAY GUIDELINES MILLIE SHAW

WRITE YOUR ESSAY Step 1: Write the Introduction (First Paragraph) - Begin with a sentence that orients the reader to the topic of your essay.

- Write as if you do not know who will be reading your essay and assume your reader has not read the case study.

- Clearly state the ethical dilemma that will be analyzed in the essay (topic sentence). - Provide a brief summary of the case study so the reader has a full understanding of the issue

(remember the reader has not read the case study). Summarize the situation with fairness to all parties. - Next, clearly state your purpose (this is your thesis statement). - Finally, tell your reader what will follow in the body of your essay, which is your preview of main points. Step 2: Develop the Body of the Essay (6 - 7 paragraphs) - For the first part of the body

- Analyze the ethical dilemma using the five approaches to ethical decision making from the Framework for Thinking Ethically article (5 paragraphs)

- Discuss the implications and consequences of each approach as applied to the dilemma 
 (1 paragraph per approach - i.e. Utilitarian, Common Good, etc.).

- Assume your reader has no knowledge of these approaches so explain the key concepts of each. (A sufficient discussion of the approach would consist of at least three sentences.)

- Discuss both the approach and the outcome that would arise if that approach were applied to the situation.

- For each approach, you must clearly state the decision that Greg would make if he were to use that approach.

- For the second part of the body - Discuss what approach you would use if you were involved in a situation like this AND the core

beliefs and the origin of those beliefs that lead you to that approach. - “If I were in Greg’s shoes . . .” Analyze the situation using the ethical standard that you

would apply to this situation. - Discuss the implications and consequences if you made a decision based on this

standard. - How does this ethical standard align with your core beliefs and personal values?

- Clarify the beliefs and values that guide your ethical thinking, ethical conduct, and decision-making.

- Which core beliefs or personal values influenced your decision in this dilemma? - Are they similar or different from the ethical standard you chose?

Step 3: Write the Conclusion - Restate the thesis. - Provide a summary and closure. 


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ETHICAL ESSAY GUIDELINES MILLIE SHAW

Important Reminders For the body of your essay, follow these writing guidelines: - Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that effectively states the purpose of the paragraph. - Develop sentences that are logical and clear. Ideas should flow logically. Paragraphs should be

unified and work together to support the thesis. - Make paragraphs coherent by using effective and appropriate transitions between ideas and

paragraphs.

Pre-Submission Checklist The essay is spell-checked and edited. The essay is academic in tone, word choice, sentence structure, and overall quality. Sentence structure is correct, coherent, and varied. The essay follows MLA guidelines.

The essay is well-organized. Main ideas are fully developed, supported, and show critical thinking. Ideas flow logically; transitions link the main ideas and aid the reader’s ability to follow the arguments. Facts are distinguished from opinions. Opinions are supported and qualified. Opposing views are represented fairly. In-text citations give credit to outside sources of information. The in-text citations from the body of the paper are fully cited in the Works Cited. The Works Cited page is formatted using MLA formatting guidelines.

The introduction engages and orients the reader. Relevant background information is provided so the audience has a clear understanding of the situation, understands the ethical dilemma, and knows why an ethical decision is required. The purpose of the essay is clear to the reader; the thesis is clearly stated. The rest of the paper is previewed for the reader. Each of the approaches is discussed fully and applied to the ethical dilemma. The action Greg would take is identified for every approach. The author discusses the action he/she would take if placed in Greg’s position. The author’s core beliefs and values are identified and applied to the ethical dilemma. The conclusion provides closure and restates the thesis. At least four outside sources are integrated smoothly in the essay. The essay includes correctly formatted in-text citations.

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