philosophy paper

All work should be a student’s own and any other author’s work should be appropriately cited. There is no required citation format but students must use some appropriate system (e.g., APA, Chicago, etc.). Squibs should be typed, double-spaced, with normal margins and 12 pt. font. Squibs must be emailed to the instructor prior to the deadline.

All squibs will be graded using the following rubric. The final reported grade will include an evaluation of performance in each of the three following categories out of a possible 20 points.

I. UNDERSTANDING AND SUMMARIZING (10 points)

10 points: Student demonstrates excellent understanding of relevant concepts and issues. All relevant concepts are identified and correctly analyzed and applied to the topic with insight and nuance. Ample text is used to support and validate student’s discussion and that text is accurately and completely summarized.

8 points. Student has identified some relevant concepts and issues, but some have been omitted and the discussion is incomplete. Concepts are not correctly analyzed. Some text is offered in support of student’s position but relevant text is omitted. As a consequence, student is lacking some resources for an effective argument.

7 points: Student refers to text but only in passing or the discussion is shallow or superficial. Obviously relevant concepts and issues are omitted. Texts are poorly or inaccurately summarized when they are noted at all. Student may be making assertions that are unsupported entirely.

5 points: Critical concepts and issues are not discussed. Relevant texts are not used nor even noted. Tangential points are given unnecessary attention. Student has no resources to make an effective argument.

1 point: Student is thoroughly confused. Philosophical understanding is missing.

II. ARGUMENT AND DEFENSE (5 points)

5 points: Multiple distinct and plausible arguments are offered in defense of a clearly stated thesis. Arguments are well supported by appeal to ethical concepts and factual matters that are well supported. Alternatives and objections are considered and receive an adequate response. Objections to opponents are fair and plausible.

3 points: Student’s arguments are pretty clearly not sound or pretty clearly incomplete. Crucial premises are not well defended. Student’s thesis is not well defined. Obvious objections are not considered.

1 point: Argument is simply absent. Student’s own opinion is simply asserted.

III. STYLE AND MECHANICS (5 points)

5 points: Paper is fluid and easy to read. Minimal errors in grammar and spelling. Discussion is clear and accessible. Citations are correct and consistent.

3 points: Sentence construction is sometimes awkward, and errors in grammar and spelling are common and severe enough that they obscure the argument.

1 point. Not acceptable writing for a college paper.