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Length: 2 typewritten pages, using standard font (12-point Times New Roman), margins (1 inch all around), and spacing (double-spaced)
Goals: You have to analyze the question in the prompt. You have to fairly balance the counterargument, thereby analyzing—not opining on—the question.
Overview of the assignment: The assignment has 3 parts:
Define “liberty.”
Looking at Locke, Hobbes, and Rawls, analyze which thinker best pursues liberty. Some things might help your argument. Some might hurt it. Bring up every side of the argument! Discuss all 3 thinkers!
Some tips: Don’t build your evidence off your thesis. Build your thesis off your definition and the evidence. Start by defining liberty. Then look at Locke, Hobbes, and Rawls to see which best fits your definition. Examine every aspect. Look at the counterarguments. Do they actually deserve to be the argument?
Once you have settled on a thesis, use that thesis to drive the paper.
Make sure your thesis is clear and identifiable. Since the paper is so short, a perfectly acceptable way to start the paper would be: “Liberty is…According to this definition, Locke (or Hobbes or Rawls) best secures liberty.”
Every paper will require a counterargument. Regardless of your thesis, someone could plausibly oppose your viewpoint and bring up contravening points. You should bring these up, as well as take the time to counter them. The best way to ensure you do this is to talk about all 3 thinkers, and how each of them does and does not embody the virtue.
With such a short paper, monitor your concision. Don’t add “fluff.” With just 2 pages to work with, every sentence is precious.
No title is needed. Just put your name in the header.
Grading: The rubric and expectations are on the back side. Your paper will be graded on a combination of factors, including but not limited to: organization, clarity, concision, argument, counterargument, and conclusion. These items are not graded equally, for example, your argument and counterargument are more important than your conclusion. That said, your paper should still be organized, proofread, and within the 2-page limit. Of course, an inability to easily read your paper will result in a much lower grade.
PRESENTATION
Organization
Is the thesis easy to find and decipher?
Given the body paragraphs, does the thesis frame the argument well?
Is the paper structured in a reasonable way?
Clarity
Is the paper easy to read?
Is the grammar acceptable?
Are there run-ons or fragments?
Is the presentation of evidence understandable?
Concision
Are there unnecessary passages?
Are there unnecessary analogies?
Is the writing tight?
Analysis
Argument
Given the thesis, is the argument reasonable? Does it support the thesis? Did you pick the right thinker to represent your definition?
Are there missing items from the overall argument?
Counterargument
Given the thesis, is the counterargument reasonable?
Does the counterargument add depth to the analysis?
Can the counterargument be used in such a way to support the thesis?
If yes, then is the counterargument reframed in such a way?
If no, then how do you rebut the counterargument to still demonstrate that the original thesis is more persuasive?
Conclusion
Is there a short conclusion to the paper?
Does that conclusion point to any broader lessons? Can we extrapolate your argument to other issues or cases?
