Compose a persuasive paper 11 to 13 full pages in length (not
counting the title page and References page).
Do not use AI tools, such as ChatGPT, for the paper or other
assignments. Do not copy AI text into your work or change words to paraphrase
from an AI answer. Use of AI will be considered academic dishonesty.
Topic and Sources
Choose
an ethical dilemma (long-term use of performance-enhancing drugs) that
arises in a profession related to your major or career plans. In the paper,
present background information about the dilemma, apply two ethical theories (check
this reference:
Ethics: The Essential
Writings (Modern Library Classics) by Gordon
Marino (Author, Editor)) and a professional code of ethics (attachment)
to it, defend your own solution to the dilemma, and respond to possible
objections to your view.
Use 6 outside sources (at least 4 peer-reviewed from the year
2000 or later), 1 professional code of ethics, and 2 other course readings
(from Ethics: The Essential Writings (Modern Library Classics. (The
Annotated Bibliography (also provided) Instructions cover what counts as
a peer-reviewed source and how to find them.)
List of Sections
Use the following sections in this order:
1. Introduction (half a page): Draw in the reader in an engaging way.
Introduce and contextualize your topic. Make the last sentence a thesis clearly
stating the solution you will defend.
2. Background information (3 to 4 pages): Present background details about your
ethical dilemma, including how it arises in a profession, relevant facts,
history, laws, and current events, and some responses to the dilemma that have
been considered. Give a general overview, while also focusing on facts that
will feed into your persuasive arguments later in the paper. Draw on reliable
sources, noting any relevant areas of bias.
Cite from 6 outside research sources as part of the background section. 4 should
be peer-reviewed sources (scholarly journal articles or books published by
university presses) from the year 2000 or later. Other sources can include news
reports, essays, interviews, or videos from reputable and unbiased authorities.
3. Theory Application (1 to 2 pages): Choose two ethical theories covered in
the course—(a) Benedict, (b) Kant, (c) Regan, (d) Mill, or (e) Noddings. For
each of the two, take a paragraph to summarize the view and explain in detail
what it might recommend regarding your dilemma. Cite details from the relevant
course reading for each theory.
4. Professional Code Application (1 page): Choose a professional code of ethics (AMA
9.6.6) that relates to your dilemma and explain in detail what it would
recommend about your topic, citing from the code of ethics.
5. Persuasive Arguments (3 to 4 pages): Defend a specific solution to your dilemma,
using logically compelling arguments. Do not just survey different sides of the
debate or summarize views you found in your research. Instead, defend a specific
thesis with your own creative arguments. Include details about what your
proposed solution involves, reasons it should be adopted, and ethical concepts
that support it. Bring in facts from your research sources as needed to support
your main claims.
6. Objections and Response (2 pages): After giving your own arguments, address
two or three possible objections to your thesis. An objection is an argument or
concern that might be raised against your view. For each objection, first
describe what it involves and then show why it is mistaken and does not
undermine your main claims. Be sure to respond to each objection and show that
your thesis is in fact correct.
7. Conclusion (half a page): Signal the end of the paper, review your
thesis and main ideas, and discuss the wider significance of your research
beyond merely summarizing it. End with a memorable closing.
Grading
Your grade will be calculated using the rubric attached to the
assignment. Content Area is 50% of the grade with the remaining part divided
among the other rows. Content Area concerns detailed information from 6
reputable outside sources (including 4 peer-reviewed from the year 2000 or
later), thorough and correct application of 1 professional code of ethics and 2
ethical theories from the course, as well as compelling persuasive arguments
and replies to objections following the instructions above and the correct
length for each paper section.
Layout, Documentation, and TurnItIn
Use APA style 7th edition for the paper format, citations, and
References page. A Canvas post on Citing Sources and Avoiding
Plagiarism has general citation rules as well as example citations for
the course readings. Another Canvas post on APA Style Paper Template covers how
to format your paper in APA style.
TurnItIn will scan your paper to look for certain types of
plagiarism. A report should appear within a few minutes of your submission. To
view the report, go to the Grades tab, find the assignment, and select the
colored TurnItIn flag. Open the report and check any highlighted text
to make sure there are no plagiarism issues. If you notice problems,
you can resubmit the assignment up to the due date. While TurnItIn is now
checking for AI generated text, that appears in a separate report that is only
visible to faculty. At this time, you will not see it marked on the traditional
TurnItIn report.
