What is a multi-stage critical research essay?
A critical/persuasive/argumentative research essay defends in a thoroughly researched fashion a substantive position on an important topic clearly related to our class discussions/readings. The essay-writing consists of several distinct stages (see the entry on “deadlines,” below): 1. Compose (and receive my approval for) a one-sentence thesis statement which identifies in clear and precise language the substantive position to be defended in a persuasive essay; 2. provide a tentative bibliography (consisting of an annotated list of, at bare minimum, five scholarly sources of information for your research) along with a detailed, CRITO-based (see handouts CR1-CR3) outline of your project (minimally, two typewritten pages); 3. produce an initial draft of your (complete) essay; and 4., produce a final, highly polished and thoughtful 8-10-page version of your essay (see the entry on “form,” below).
What should my essay be about?
Each student is free to propose any topic that is clearly related to the discussions/readings of our seminar. I will approve/reject topics and make recommendations following the first deadline.
What form ought my essay to take?
Final drafts of essays — excluding footnotes and bibliography — should be approximately 8-10 pages in length; it should have, as a maximum, one-inch margins all around; it should be double-spaced in 10-12 point, non-italicized font of your preferred type and be left justified only; while both engaging and philosophically astute, it should contain no grammatical or spelling errors and conform to the basic conventions of academic, or formal, writing (for example: no contractions (can't, don't, etc.), slang, or inappropriate, gender-specific language, minimal use of the passive voice, nominalizations; and proper — meaning, to my mind, consistent — use of footnotes and bibliography). For help with basic grammatical and stylistic issues, see the philosophy department's “Writing Checklist.” See also Adrian Piper's "Ten Commandments of Philosophical Writing." Edit your work frequently and carefully -- poor form and style distract from and may undermine the quality of the content.
What are the Deadlines?
Deadlines are absolutely final – no exceptions/extra credit/partial credit. We will collectively determine all deadlines in the first days of the semester.
1. One (declarative) sentence thesis statement, due: TBA. I will not accept for any credit essays composed on unapproved topics. Students missing this deadline will have one letter grade subtracted from their final grade for the project. (Example, a “B” essay received on the final class from a student who fails to meet deadline #1 will receive a “C.”)
2. Outline and tentative bibliography, due: TBA. Students missing this deadline will have one letter grade subtracted from their final grade for the project.
3. Initial draft of essay, due: TBA. Students missing this deadline will have one letter grade subtracted from their final grade for the project.
4. Final version of essay: due on the final day of class.
How will my essay be graded?
See the paragraph on grading in Handout CPE. The essay represents 75% of a student’s final grade for the course.
A critical/persuasive/argumentative research essay defends in a thoroughly researched fashion a substantive position on an important topic clearly related to our class discussions/readings. The essay-writing consists of several distinct stages (see the entry on “deadlines,” below): 1. Compose (and receive my approval for) a one-sentence thesis statement which identifies in clear and precise language the substantive position to be defended in a persuasive essay; 2. provide a tentative bibliography (consisting of an annotated list of, at bare minimum, five scholarly sources of information for your research) along with a detailed, CRITO-based (see handouts CR1-CR3) outline of your project (minimally, two typewritten pages); 3. produce an initial draft of your (complete) essay; and 4., produce a final, highly polished and thoughtful 8-10-page version of your essay (see the entry on “form,” below).
What should my essay be about?
Each student is free to propose any topic that is clearly related to the discussions/readings of our seminar. I will approve/reject topics and make recommendations following the first deadline.
What form ought my essay to take?
Final drafts of essays — excluding footnotes and bibliography — should be approximately 8-10 pages in length; it should have, as a maximum, one-inch margins all around; it should be double-spaced in 10-12 point, non-italicized font of your preferred type and be left justified only; while both engaging and philosophically astute, it should contain no grammatical or spelling errors and conform to the basic conventions of academic, or formal, writing (for example: no contractions (can't, don't, etc.), slang, or inappropriate, gender-specific language, minimal use of the passive voice, nominalizations; and proper — meaning, to my mind, consistent — use of footnotes and bibliography). For help with basic grammatical and stylistic issues, see the philosophy department's “Writing Checklist.” See also Adrian Piper's "Ten Commandments of Philosophical Writing." Edit your work frequently and carefully -- poor form and style distract from and may undermine the quality of the content.
What are the Deadlines?
Deadlines are absolutely final – no exceptions/extra credit/partial credit. We will collectively determine all deadlines in the first days of the semester.
1. One (declarative) sentence thesis statement, due: TBA. I will not accept for any credit essays composed on unapproved topics. Students missing this deadline will have one letter grade subtracted from their final grade for the project. (Example, a “B” essay received on the final class from a student who fails to meet deadline #1 will receive a “C.”)
2. Outline and tentative bibliography, due: TBA. Students missing this deadline will have one letter grade subtracted from their final grade for the project.
3. Initial draft of essay, due: TBA. Students missing this deadline will have one letter grade subtracted from their final grade for the project.
4. Final version of essay: due on the final day of class.
How will my essay be graded?
See the paragraph on grading in Handout CPE. The essay represents 75% of a student’s final grade for the course.
