Philosophy 2220, Homework: Paper Outline

First, look at the grading standards for the paper. Digest them for a bit.

Now, think about the argument you want to make for this paper. You should start by picking a paper topic; all of the allowed paper topics are listed on the paper assignment. Now, think hard about what you believe. Very carefully pick a thesis; this is the central claim your whole paper will be about. Your paper will be much easier if you pick a thesis that you think is true.

Once you have a tentative thesis in mind, see if you can easily think of any cases where you believe that your thesis is false. If you can, then pick a new thesis, probably by carefully refining the one you have so that the case you thought of doesn't apply. Do this until you have a thesis that you can't easily show is false.

Now think about why you believe that your thesis is true. Why is it that, something is always right/wrong when you say, and not otherwise? If you think really hard and can't think of any reasons, pick a new thesis and start over. Remember, the reasons you give must show why, IN EVERY CASE where your thesis says something is wrong/right, it actually is.

Once you have these reasons, write them down as clearly and concisely as possible - they should be just a sentence or two in their simplest form (although explaining what they mean and why believe them might take a lot more space).

As you have probably noticed in class, things that seem true to one person almost always seem false to at least one other person. So, think now about a person who would disagree with your thesis. If no such person exists, you won't be able to write this paper, so pick a new thesis. Once you have a disagreer in mind, think about how that person would try to convince you that your thesis is false. If they were doing their job, they would pick a specific example where your thesis says one thing, but some people will think that's obviously wrong. Think of such an example. If you absolutely can't, pick a new thesis.

Now, here's your homework:
*Send an email to me at my bigfatgenius.com address. The subject line should be 2220 [class time] OUTLINE PAPER [1/2/3 (choose the appropriate one)]
* In the body of your email (NO ATTACHMENTS please), state your thesis (clearly identified as such), and the reasons you will give to support it. This should only be a few sentences.
* In the body of that same email, also clearly and briefly give your counterexample to your thesis. This should also be one or two sentences. This should be a specific case that shows that your thesis is false.
* See the paper assignment for when this is due, and what subject line to use.
* Make sure you put your name (first and last) in this email (sometimes it's not obvious based on your email address). Thank you!