Description
Your main task in the paper should be to present an argument defending your answer to that question; but there are three main things you should do in the paper:
Develop an Argument – your paper should center around an argument that you develop in response to the topic question. Remember that an argument is a set of premises or reasons designed to demonstrate a conclusion
The conclusion will be either “The just state should be one whose purpose is to make its people good” OR “The just state should not be one whose purpose is to make its people good”
Develop premises to support the conclusion. I highly recommend you develop the argument as numbered premises and conclusion first; then use that as an outline for writing
You can re-read the logic handouts for guidelines on argument
Compare Theories – Your paper should compare some of the theories we have read as they relate to the topic question and your argument. You should compare Plato with one of the modern theories from Sandel’s Justice.
Include at least three quotes from course readings to support your argument. Cite by page number. Use quotes to support your argument, not as filler.
Show your understanding of the course material as you compare theories
Use the comparison of theories to support your argument, not for its own sake – don’t allow this part of the paper to take up too much space, and don’t just summarize.
Use an Example – The Sandel book uses a lot of examples to illustrate justice questions – the affirmative action chapter, the Civil War draft example, etc. Come up with some example from politics, the news, or media that helps you illustrate your argument, and use it to make the case for your argument more effectively
Again, remember the example is there to support your argument, not just to tell a story for its own sake
Don’t allow the example to take over the paper or to crowd out the argument
Cite any sources you use to talk about the example
(justice by michael sandel ch 8-10 and plato the republic are the sources)
