This exercise will guide you through the writing stages of producing an argumentative essay Use Part I of this form to create your first draft of an argumentative essay for a peer to review. Youll produce 4 first drafts by the end of the course, and review 4 drafts of a peer too. Use Part II of this form to create a second draft from your first draft for JMD to grade. Everyone will do this for the Mackie essay; you can choose which of the other 3 first drafts you want to convert into a second draft.I. FIRST DRAFT1. What is the name of the text, the authors name and the main issue they are discussing?Name of authorName of textMain issueExplain any terms the average reader might not know. You are writing for someone at UT who knows the basics about logic (valid, strong, sound, cogent, etc.), but knows nothing else about your topic.Term 1:Term 2:2. What conclusion is the author arguing, and what is his or her argument for it?Use premise and conclusion form, naming premises P1, P2, etc. and the conclusion(s) C. Use your own words or direct quotes from the text with page numbers.P1P2Etc.CAgain, explain any terms the average reader might not know. You are writing for someone at UT who knows the basics about logic (valid, strong, sound, cogent, etc.), but knows nothing else about your topic.Term 1:Term 2:Step Three: Analyze the argument using our two questions and any interesting responses weve read or you heard in class1. Are the premises true? Focus in on one that seems false OR say why a key controversial premise seems true to you.2. Is there a good connection between the premises and the conclusion? Use the terms from logic is the argument valid? If not, is at least strong? Why or why not?3. Interesting objections or support from readings or classStep 4: Your thesis about this argument and its conclusion
Based on the above, write one complete sentence that states the position you want to argue. (Mackies Red Room argument fails because P2 is false, so this argument doesnt demonstrate that suffering and God are incompatible after all.). Note that sometimes you might still believe a conclusion even if you think the argument is bad. Saying that will make your thesis more subtle (Although Mackies Red Room argument fails because P2 is false, and although this means this particular argument doesnt show that suffering and God are incompatible, there are other, better reasons for this view that show its highly unlikely for there to be a OOO God and the kind of suffering we wade through every day.).Step 5: Best reason for your thesis (a.k.a. premises for believing your conclusion)
Now write a complete sentence which clearly and fully expresses the best reason you have for believing this thesis.Step 6: The other side
Now think of someone whose stance is totally opposite from yours who believes in the negation of the thesis. Write their view in a sentence:Step 7: Best objection to the thesis
What is the most compelling reason this person has against your thesis? If it helps, notice this person might object to either (a) your thesis itself from Step 4, or (b) your reason(s) for it in Step 5. Write the reason in a complete sentence.Step 8: Counter-replies (arguing for the thesis again this is often the hardest part, just try)
Now reply to your opponent about why their best reason doesnt convince you.SECOND DRAFTStep Eight: Research talk with peer and others, read more BUT ONLY FROM OUR BOOK
Get different perspectives that might further your reflections. Talk to friends or family; continue to think about the reasons and replies you have come up with on your own (Descartes said his best thoughts came in the tub, for instance!). Read suggested readings or the other readings in the section of our book.Step Seven: Developing your reasons, replies, and counter-replies
On paper or on the computer, sketch how to develop each of the sentences in Steps Three, Five and Six more fully. Developing a point means explaining it or supporting it. For instance, in Step Two, you developed your thesis from Step One by explaining it. Now do something similar for the reasons, replies and counter-replies. You might try to ground the point in even more fundamental principles that support it; give examples that illustrate it; raise points other authors have raised in support (with citation); show what bad consequences follow if the point isnt taken, what good consequences do if it is, etc. Convince your reader that your thesis is both true and important.****CAUTION: For short papers, choose just your strongest reason, reply and counter-reply to develop in your paper. Each may take 1-3 paragraphs. In longer papers, you can develop more points for and against.
Overall, strive for depth over breadth.****One excellent way of developing your thoughts for Step Seven is to do Step Eight:Step Nine: Organizing the argument
You now have all the thoughts you need to create a full argument for your thesis. Order them in a way that makes sense to you. You might prefer to provide the positive argument for your view developed in step 3 first, and then dispense with objections to it; or vice versa. Just follow whatever order helps you think about the case for your view most clearly.Step Ten: Structuring the paper
You have just created the body of an argumentative paper. Now add an introduction and a conclusion.
An introduction must state the thesis of the paper & briefly explain how you will argue for it (I will first recount and dispense with objections to my view; and then argue positively for it). It should be no longer than 2 paragraphs. For shorter papers (5 pages and under), it should be just one paragraph.
A conclusion should remind the reader of where you have been and suggest where things might go from here. You can search for a fresh perspective on the significance of your conclusion, or gesture at some theoretical consequences or practical implications of it, etc.Step Eleven: Re-read and finishing touches
Re-read the paper at least once out loud, and with a clear head if possible, to check for flow and errors. Where you lose track of a thought or stumble as you read, consider why, and revise. When you have finalized your content, check and correct your mechanics:
Spell check. There is NO excuse for totally misspelled words these days.
Check grammar and punctuation. Use as guides both the automatic grammar check on your computer, and the rules in our writing text/handout.
You can lose credibility with your reader instantly and perhaps irrevocably by making mechanical errors. Check, check, and check again.Step Twelve: Peer Review, Re-Draft, and Finalize
If possible, have at least one peer read your paper for suggestions. Invite them to use my checklist for grading to frame their suggestions. Consider their suggestions and revise where you agree. If you make revisions, check the flow, grammar, punctuation and spelling once more.