Writing Assignment 3 (10%): Presenting Objections to Arguments

Due on Monday 10/17 before 11:59 PM.

Each student must expand upon their previous work in Writing Assignment #2 by doing the
following:

• Each student must offer an analysis of how certain prominent moral theories are (or can
be) used to object to the student’s arguments made in support of their thesis in Writing
Assignment #2.
o Prominent moral theories that can be used at this stage include Cultural
Relativism, Utilitarianism, and Kantianism; though students may substitute
appropriate alternative theories of their choosing instead of one or more of these
options [talk with the instructor about doing so before submitting the assignment
however].
o This requirement of the assignment may require students to do some external
research to find arguments that differ from their own on the chosen topic.
Students are reminded to be mindful of the policies on academic integrity and to
cite all sources used in their writing.

The purpose of this assignment is for each student to demonstrate the ability to critically analyze
their own writing/arguments appropriately in a critical fashion (regardless of whether one agrees
with the ideas expressed by the analysis or not). Emphasis should be on clearly presenting the
nature of the objection and how it is a plausible problem for the original argument. It should be
noted that you, the student, do not have to agree with the objection or believe that the objection
is successful in refuting the relevant argument. Your concern should be in presenting carefully
and clearly how someone could reasonably object to the original argument [i.e., your argument].

Use the attached rubric (see next page) to help you in understanding the requirements for this
assignment. The instructor also expects you to view the posted instructional video [available via
Blackboard] discussing this assignment in detail.

This assignment must be submitted via TurnItIn on the SHSU Blackboard course site by the time specified
above on the date due. Students are responsible for ensuring that their submission is compatible with
the software utilized by Blackboard and that it is properly submitted. Be sure to “confirm” your
submission to TurnItIn by clicking the corresponding “submit/confirm” button when required. Failure
to do so will result in a failure to submit the assignment (and the corresponding penalty for failing to
submit your assignment on time). Students using apple products or other “non-PC” software/products
are advised to submit their material as .pdf universally readable files to ensure that their submission is
not penalized for lateness (an unreadable file means the assignment has not been submitted).

• Papers MUST be typed and double spaced in 10 – 12-point Calibri or Arial font with 1-inch
justified margins. [If you do not know what this last element is, ask!]
 • Students should seek to use any relevant material from the course, be it readings, lecture
material, discussions in class, etc.

• When utilizing such material or other reference materials in his/her term paper, each
student should reference the material via footnote (NOT in text citation or endnote) in a
way that makes clear where the material originated.
o Instructions on how to properly cite material and use footnotes is available via the
course Blackboard page.
o If you are not familiar with the proper way to utilize footnotes, come to office
hours for individual instruction. Note that a “footer” is NOT the same as footnotes.
These are different features and have different names for a reason. If you do not
understand, come to office hours and ask!

The following rubric will be used to evaluate each student’s submission for this assignment:

Presentation of the Objections 24

Minimum Acceptable Number of Theories (3) Presented [1/argument] 3

[Bonus Points can be earned throughout this assignment by engaging
with more than the minimum required number of theories.]

Clear identification of the objection to the argument, and the theory/principle

to be used in the objection to the argument [1/argument] 3

Accurate representation of the theory/principle being used as the basis for

the objection to the argument [2/argument] 6

Clear, careful reflection of how the objection is a problem for the

author’s argument [4/argument] 12

Writing (Spelling, Grammar, Usage, Punctuation, Flow) 8

Paper is clear, well written, easy to read 2

Paper is coherently structured; arguments are connected clearly/effectively 2

Paper properly formatted [font size/type, margins, etc.] 1

Paper properly cited [quotes/sources referenced via footnote, etc.] 2

Irrelevant material [“fluff”] omitted from paper 1

Total Possible Points 32