You will write a paper (1200-1600 words) that talks about: Is it rational to doubt the existence of an external world? (talk about why it is rational) Turning it in: upload it to Canvas.
Format: pdf, doc, or docx only. If I can’t read the paper, I can’t grade the paper. If I can’t grade the
paper, the paper gets an F.Grading: Your paper will get a bad grade if:
• It looks like you made the minimal effort you thought you could get away with.
• The paper is full of language errors.
• I can’t understand what you’re trying to say.
• There is no thesis.
• There is no argument for your thesis.
NO AI
Additional notes:
• Please write in the first-person. These are your essay responses; you alone are responsible for
your words.
• Please use cognitive-sounding verbs such as “argue,” “claim,” “hold,” and “maintain,” not
affective ones such as “feel.” Say, “I will argue that author X’s claim is true/false,” not, “I
feel author X’s claim is true/false.”
• Avoid uninformative beginnings such as “since the dawn of time.” Just start by stating what
question you will be discussing. In general, if your opening sentence or paragraph can be
used as an opening for different essays on different topics, that’s a sign it is too broad, too
“off the shelf,” and, hence, not very strong.
• Please write in a way that conforms to the stylistic elements of academic writing. Proof your
responses for accurate spelling, grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and clarity of expression.
• Cite your sources. I don’t care what style you choose, but you should consistently use your
preferred style.
The topic I decided to choose for this essay is: Is it rational to doubt the existence of an external world? (talk about why it is rational) Make it a reasonable argument and add a reference sheet
