- Circular Explanation: Bob needs a job so that he can pay for his
car; he needs a car so that he can get to his job.
- Circular Argument: The Bible says that God exists, God wrote the
Bible and wouldn't lie, therefore God exists.
- Circular Definition: Freedom means having the liberty to do what
I want; having the liberty to do what I want means having the freedom
to do as I please.
All three of these examples use the very thing they are trying to
explain, prove, or define
in the
explanation, argument, or definition itself. This is BAD!
2. SUPPORT YOUR CLAIMS!!! (I know this is on the first set of
guidelines, but it is so important that it deserves repeating.)
3. Make sure that your paper is composed of both quality exegesis and
some of your own (supported) ideas. I need to see that you've
understood the class material, so a nice summary of the course material
and relevant arguments we've discussed in class is necessary. However,
I also need to see that you've thought about some of this material on
your own, and that you have something original to contribute. So your
grade will take into consideration both (i) how will you can summarize
the course material and (ii) your ability to assimilate the material
and come up with some of your own ideas in response. Doing only one of
these things well will not be enough to get you an A.
4. Quotes, like drinks, are fine in moderation. Too many, however, and
it will be impossible for me to tell if you really understand the
material. Also, I've already read the material many times. I don't need
to see it again in your papers. So please summarize the material in
your own words, using quotes sparingly.
5. Beware of Ad Hominems. Anytime you find yourself attacking the
author, or any particular person who is giving an argument, rather than
the argument itself, this is called an
ad hominem fallacy. For example,
imagine that Bill Clinton gave a stellar, valid argument on the merits
of fidelity. In response, someone points to his less-than-saintly
personal life as a way of refuting Clinton's argument. Attacking the
person giving the argument rather than the argument itself--while often
rhetorically effective--is
irrational. Stick to evaluating the form of the argument, or the truth
of it's premises, but never attack the person giving the argument.
6. PLEASE read the paper assignment instructions carefully.
7. Double-space, normal margins, 12-point font, PLEASE! Look. I know
that using Courier New and messing with the margins will turn 2 pages
into 5. But I'm not fooled. Besides, I am more concerned with content
than paper length anyhow. Yet varying the font and format (and ink
color!), while fun for you, can be annoying to me. I would like to be
able to read your paper clearly, with plenty of space to write
comments. So stick to the standard paper format.
Page Last Updated: Oct. 27, 2006
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