Philosophy Paper 1 - What Does It Mean to be a Philosopher?

The paper must be 1200-1500 words long minimum (but can be longer). You must CITE your sources! You will be uploading you finished paper to turnitin (via canvas) as you did with your first writing assignment.

NO OUTSIDE SOURCES!!! Only material from our textbook and canvas.

HANDY-DANDY GUIDE TO WRITING A YOUR FIRST PAPER FOR MY CLASS.

If you were to ask 10 people, "How do I write a Paper?" you'd probably get 10 different responses. No one seems to know exactly how to do one, yet almost everyone is assigned one at some point in his or her academic career. Here is a guide to what faculty are usually "looking for" in a well-written paper.

Remember, however, that every faculty member is different: some will want you to spend more time "analyzing" or "evaluating" the piece, others on giving your personal reactions to it. The best rule of thumb is to ask your professor for clarification. Here are mine:

Minimum 1200 words but should be closer to 1400-1500. There is no word maximum.

You must cite your sources. No outside sources!

I. Thesis, Argument, and Conclusion. 700 words or so.

Goal: Produce a short argumentative piece including an expository section.

This should be your introduction (to the question/issue at hand), explanation of the fundamental traits of a philosopher, and then your argument section for Socrates.

You must first explain what it means to be a philosopher. You need to identify and explain three traits that embody what it means to be a philosopher. You can use all and only the class material on canvas or in the textbook. You need to explain each trait without reference to Socrates. You should use examples of the traits as well as explain the traits themselves.

The next section of the first part of your paper should be your argumentative case for Socrates. Remember, you will be using all the applicable material from Unit 1 to make your case for whether Socrates should be considered a paradigmatic philosopher. How does Socrates meet these standards (or criteria)? Make arguments and give evidence/support! 

II. Final addendum/Your Epilogue: What about you? 500 words or so. 

Goal: Answer these questions: Am I a philosopher? Why or Why not? Give examples/evidence. What do you, or could you, gain from being a philosopher?

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FOR MORE HELP on HOW TO WRITE a paper-- These are helpful guides and should not be followed if they contradict the above structure/instructions. Please ASK ME or check links below for further help or clarification.

Papers & Essays: Crash Course Study Skills #9 (Links to an external site.)

https://www.mesacc.edu/~paoih30491/ArgumentsOutline.html (Links to an external site.)

http://libguides.lvc.edu/c.php?g=333806&p=2244962 (Links to an external site.)

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/index.html (Links to an external site.)

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/resources.html