How to choose a “C” for a CRITO outline (see handout CR3)
1. Selection. If there is choice allowed, select (S) from the range of possible topics one that interest you the most. The best writers focus on topics that intrigue them, that they know something about, or that they enjoy. Your selection should also be guided by the following 4 considerations.
2. Truthfulness. “C” must be as accurate or truthful (T) as possible. “Hume's antinomous depiction of taste is incapable of supporting an objective definition of art” is (much) better than “Tolstoy's theory of art is nothing other than Soviet propaganda.” An error-free “C” is the only kind worth defending.
3. Explicitness. “C” should be explicit (E), clear, and straightforward. Read the claim aloud, and have others read it, too. It is clear and obvious to you (and to others) what you are claiming? Remove any ambiguities, vagueness, or ungrammatical elements. Could the claim be shortened without loss of meaning? "Music is sound organized as tones relative to a melodic and harmonic system” is (much) better than “Music is what makes the world go 'round.”
4. Particularity. “C” ought to be particular (P) or singular, making only one point about one thing or event. “Trump lied about his taxes” is better than “All politicians are liars.” Sometimes it helps to avoid complexity and quantifiers like “all” and “every.”
5. Importance. “C” should be an important (I) topic of debate. Controversial, substantive claims about matters of interest to all thoughtful persons produce the most interesting essays. “Human exceptionalism inconsistently denies the moral status of relevantly similar nonhumans” is (infinitely) better than “Humans and animals just need to get along!”
