Your argumentative paper (1200-1500 words) will defend a thesis on a topic related to one of our course authors and the six questions we’ve explored throughout the course.

• Your argumentative paper (1200-1500 words) will defend a thesis on a topic related to one of our course authors and the six questions we’ve explored throughout the course.

• A thesis is an *argument* that must be supported by evidence and logical argumentation. It is not just an opinion that you express.

• Your thesis should take the form of “I will argue” or “it will be argued.”

• Words that should *not* appear in your paper :

• “In my opinion” ‘I believe” “I feel” “For me” “To me” “Personally”.

• These types of phrases *weaken* your paper by suggesting you are

only offering your personal opinion without argumentative support.

• Your position can be arguing in agreement or contrary to one of our

course authors.

• It is recommended you review the “Writing Philosophically” document posted on Canvas.

Example Theses

• “It will be argued, contrary to Simone De Beauvoir, that women do not derive satisfaction from their role as Other, and this is not a reason for their continued status as Other.”

• “I will argue, in agreement with Dean Spade, that gender dysphoria should not be classified as a disease.”

• “I will argue, contrary to Genevive Lloyd, that modern conceptions of reason are not Cartesian and do not presume masculinity.”

• “It will be argued, in agreement with Robin Dembroff, that the identity view of gender is not convincing and does not hold up in practice.”

• You must then defend the argument, using your own philosophical reasons and examples. Please note you can not just overview what the author says. You need to provide your own argument regarding why what the author says is correct or incorrect. You should have at least *three distinct* philosophical supports for your thesis (reasons someone should accept this thesis as true)

Better Arguing:

• “Dean Spade is correct that gender dysphoria should not be classified as a disease, and that it encourages the creation of fictional narratives from those seeking SRS in order to achieve their SRS goals. The telling of these narratives contributes to the creation of a fictional self within the gender binary. Spade’s examples [lists examples] are very convincing and showed how the fictional self emerges. He successfully shows that our institutional processes for classifying something as a disease have social consequences, such as assuming certain behavior traits “belong” with certain genders and ultimately ends up enforcing the binary.”

• Is specific about what aspect of Spade’s argument you will be addressing.

• Uses philosophical concepts from class and the texts.

• Appeals to examples to support the philosophical point

• Is specific, concise, and focused.

Citations

• You must cite properly using MLA format for all direct quotes and for paraphrasing!

• Paraphrasing is when you put the material in your own words.

• For example:

• Simone DeBeauvoir argues that one reason women have not overcome their status as Other is because they do not want to take on the burden of freedom, which

would require them to create their own purpose (Beauvoir, 34).

• Direct quotes should be used sparingly. You should instead show you understand the argument by putting it into your own words. Importantly, direct quotes should never be used to make a standalone point, they should only support a point that you make in your own words. 

An “A” paper:

• -Begins with an introductory paragraph ending with a clear thesis.

• -Explains the author’s position, correctly characterizing the position of the author.

• -Appeals to the relevant passages to explain the author’s position.

• -Cites the author’s position correctly using MLA format, including using citations for paraphrasing

• -Properly defines all relevant terms as used by the philosopher (no dictionary definitions)

• -Successfully argues for your thesis using examples, evidence, reasons, and logical

argumentation.

• -Does not employ logical fallacies.

• -Is free of phrases such as “I believe” “I feel” “In my opinion” “Personally”

• Is relatively free of grammatical errors

• Uses class sources only to explain the views of the relevant philosopher. Any use of outside

sources constitutes cheating and will be reported.

• Cites properly for both paraphrasing and direct quotes (see below)

• Is no more than 10-15% direct quotes (a direct quote should never be used to make your

point for you, it should only back up a point you make in your own words).