Paper #1 should be an argumentative essay that analyzes the reasoning of a short argumentative article or letter to the editor and argues for whether it is a cogent argument or not. See the link below called Checklist for Paper #1; this will be used as a grading sheet for the paper.
Papers should be be at least 800 words in length (about 3 pages) and no more than 1600 words (over 6 pages is probably too much). Use the "word count" function on your word processing program to check length.
Papers should be typewritten, with one-inch margins on all
sides. Each paper you hand in should have a heading which includes your
name, the paper number and the date on which you are turning it in.
Each paper should also have a title, centered above the opening
paragraph, with no underline or quotation marks. Keep a photocopy or
computer file of all papers you turn in; missing papers will be your
responsibility to replace.
When the paper is due, hand in your half-hour analytical draft and half-hour evaluative draft and your first full draft, as well as a copy of the article or letter to the editor that you are analyzing/evaluating. A folder will be necessary to keep them all together.
When papers are due, turn them in to me at the beginning of class or, if they are unavoidably late, put them in my mailbox in
the Philosophy Department (the slot above my name). Do not slip them under my office door and do not put them in the inbox outside my office door.
Late papers
will receive a penalty of a grade reduction for each day late (e.g., a
B+ would become a grade of B, a B would become a B-). Extensions may be
granted in extraordinary circumstances, but arrangements must be made
before the day the paper is due.
A word about grammar, punctuation, and spelling: Although
"correctness" is not the most important aspect of writing, it is
necessary in academic writing. Therefore, papers handed in to be
evaluated must show an acceptable level of correctness in grammar,
spelling, and punctuation. Papers that do not meet these standards, or
that do not meet other acceptable standards of academic writing or that
do not fulfill the assignment, will be given an "NC" (no credit). You
may revise and/or edit any paper on which you receive an NC and turn it
in to receive credit, but you must do so before the next paper is due.
If you get more than one NC, you should make an appointment to come
discuss your problems with me and be prepared for the possibility that
you may have to repeat the course.
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