The thesis is clearly stated, is a response that takes a meaningful, debatable position in relation to the prompt and relates to the conclusion of the essay. It is original, insightful, and interesting. The premises themselves, as well as reasons for believing the premises, are clearly stated and logically relate to the thesis. The reasons for accepting the evidence provided are clearly stated, are logically related to the topic, and are legitimate. Sources applicable to the assignment are cited and are themselves explained in the context of the argument. Controversial or unusual positions are explained and integrated into the overall argument. (sub-arguments)

Counter arguments are well considered and explained, and the refutation is charitable to the opposition without undermining the thesis of the essay. The arguments relate to each other in a meaningful way, and progress in an order that builds the reader’s understanding and helps support the thesis. The use of external sources is well documented and cited and provides insight into the author’s own positions, as well as meaningful support for the thesis. There is a good balance between cited material and the author’s own words.

The paper contains an original and precise description of the issue or problem, along with a careful consideration of possible alternatives or solutions. The paper contains relevant examples, and indicates the relevant issues the examples highlight. The paper successfully breaks the argument, issue, or problem into relevant parts. The connections between the parts are made clear and meaningfully explain the issue at hand. The paper successfully integrates all relevant parts from various positions or arguments into a coherent whole. The connections between the parts are both clear and insightful.

Sentences are generally complete and grammatical. All words are chosen for their precise meanings. All new or unusual terms are well-defined and concepts and theories are accurately and completely explained. Good, clear examples are used to illuminate concepts and issues. Information presented as support (names, facts, etc.) is accurate. Paper has been spell-checked and proofread, has minimal errors, and minimizes rhetorical questions and slang. The essay is clearly college level writing. The thesis is clear, and is either contained within the introduction or logically progresses from the structure of the essay. The topic is introduced with minimal fanfare. It is made clear how the paper will get to the conclusion, not in a detailed outline of the paper, but rather in a concise summary of the steps in argument. New premises are each introduced in new paragraphs or sections. The paper uses the conclusion to tie up loose ends (for example, the paper considers objections to the argument to which it is acknowledged there is no space or expertise to respond, or projects how responses may change over time).

Please choose one of the following questions and develop an argument in 1100-2100 words. Only submissions via Canvas will be graded, unless there is an extenuating circumstance that we have discussed beforehand. Late papers will receive no comments and will lose 2 percentage points from the total score per day late. Please stay as close within the word count guideline as possible-you will not be able to support your argument well in less, and you will make it harder for me to grade in a timely manner with more. The paper is out of 25 points, which means it is worth 25% of your total grade. If you attach a file: please include your last name, which prompt you are responding to, and which paper this is (1) in the filename like so: Aleshire-B-1.doc (if I were to write on the second prompt).