An argument paper is a reasoned attempt to persuade or convince your reader that your view regarding a philosophical problem related to the text is valid. It is not exactly a research paper or a summary essay. A thesis statement is required in an argument paper. In addition, you have to present possible objections to your thesis, and your supporting reasons why the counterarguments to your thesis should be rejected. An argument essay has the following structure:
Your own title.
Introduction – it contains background information and your thesis statement. Be sure to express your thesis as clearly and as persuasively as you can.
Arguments to support your thesis. Make sure your arguments are based on facts. Use ethical principles/theories to support your position.
Possible counterarguments to your argument
Response to the counterarguments
Conclusion – reinforce your original thesis by overcoming all counterarguments or modify it by showing that some of the objections constitute unanswerable difficulties.
For your first essay, you will write an argument paper on the case of Edward Snowden. You will take a position on the question of whether Snowden is a moral hero or a traitor. A moral hero is someone who did a morally admirable and commendable act, even if the act may be illegal. In case you are not familiar with Snowden, there are many articles, blogs, documentaries, interviews and even a feature film made about the case so you can find a lot of materials online. Make sure all the materials that you use for your paper are documented by using footnotes or endnotes and bibliography.
Inculde something on tragedy of the commons John Locke, Rawl, Trolly problem, utilitarianism, Where he is moral responsibility or causly at fault.
Watching these short videos may also give you some perspectives.
Grading Criteria for Essays
1. Completion of the Requirements: 25 points Accomplishment of the paper’s objective; answers to the guide questions; clarity and relevance of thesis statement (when applicable); grammatically correct sentences; footnotes and documentation (when applicable); careful proofreading (absence of spelling/punctuation errors, etc.); appropriate manuscript form.
2. Creativity and Originality: 20 points New insights; careful word choice makes the essay very informative; effective title and conclusion; range and depth of analysis; range and depth of interpretation.
3. Quality of Ideas: 20 points Appropriate awareness of opposing views; persuasiveness of arguments; absence of fallacies; appropriate examples; complexity of ideas and arguments.
4. Organization and Development: 20 points Logical and clear arrangement of ideas; good development of ideas through supporting details, examples, evidence and quotations from the text; effective use of transition; unity and coherence of paragraph
5. Clarity and Style: 15 points Ease of readability; clarity of arguments and sentence structure; appropriate audience; gracefulness of sentence structure; appropriate variety of sentence structure.
Grading Rubric
“A” = “A” range paper is outstanding in terms of content, organization, and style. Its thesis is clear, explicit, insightful, and original. An “A” paper presents a nuanced and significant argument, clear forecast, and cogent analysis, elaborating the argument/analysis with appropriate and adequate textual evidence and persuasive reasoning. In an “A” paper, the writer demonstrates that he or she or they can choose words aptly, use sophisticated sentences effectively, and observe the conventions of written English. The writer can engage with materials in meaningful and sophisticated ways and cite sources correctly.
“B” = “B” range paper has a clear and explicit thesis, but the thesis may be slightly less coherent or original. A “B” paper presents a well-organized argument and analysis, elaborating the argument/analysis with appropriate textual evidence and sensible reasoning. A “B” paper may lack a significant argument and a clear forecast. A “B” paper typically has a less fluent and complex style than an “A” paper but does show that its writer can usually choose words accurately, vary sentences effectively, and observe the conventions of written English. The writer can engage with materials appropriately and adequately and cite sources correctly.
“C” = “C” range paper is unsatisfactory in the following ways: it lacks a clear, identifiable, and significant argument and clear forecast; its subtopics may lack strong and clear connections; it presents too much plot summary, general commentaries or quotations rather than analysis; it fails to use appropriate evidence to support its thesis/subtopics; it lacks detailed and convincing analysis of textual evidence; it contains too many grammatical errors and incoherent sentences; it lacks clear and logical organization; it cites sources incorrectly; it fails to meet the page requirement.
“D”/“F” = The following scenarios may result in a “D”/“F” grade: paper fails to meet the page requirement by a substantial amount; paper contains too many grammatical errors and incoherent sentences; paper is off-topic; paper uses too many personal examples as support when textual analysis is required. Plagiarism and cheating will result in an “F” grade.
*This rubric is a compilation and adaptation of several rubrics: the rubric used in the writing program at the University of California, Riverside, rubrics shared with me by Julian Felix and Professor Michelle Raheja at the University of California, Riverside.
