Course Outcomes
Completing this Assessment will help you to:
 Articulate an essential question on a topic of interest that demonstrates appreciation of diverse points of view using analytic approaches.
 Perform research appropriate to the chosen topic.
 Compose a research paper with appropriate citation style, demonstrating application of critical thinking and metacognitive processes and strategies.
 Demonstrate a tolerance for and an appreciation of ambiguity.
 Demonstrate creative problem-solving.
 Integrate knowledge from diverse viewpoints into a unified whole.
Institutional Outcomes
Completing this Assessment will help you to:
 Employ information literacy skills through the effective use of technology and information resources to accomplish a goal.
 Follow established, habitual, and scientific methods to create opportunities for growth and increase critical awareness of one’s responsibilities as a contributor to society.
 Develop thinking processes and utilize learning strategies to understand their metacognitive abilities.
 Transfer knowledge from life lessons and formal instruction to new situations as evidence of relational learning.
 Demonstrate proficient mathematic and communication (written and oral) skills as required in the workplace.
Deadline
Due Week 7 by Saturday at 11:59 pm, ET.
Directions
Situation:
You have been asked to submit an article to a magazine that features local writers. The content of the magazine varies from issue to issue and submissions from authors can be on a variety of topics. The target audience of this publication is readers between the ages of 28 and 45 in your residential area.
The editors of the magazine have asked you to write an essay on one of the following topics:
 Should there be more stringent limits on driving ages in the United States? If so, how should those limits be shaped (e.g.: raise the driving age to 18, restrict licenses for elderly or impaired drives, or some other form of restriction)?
 Do people have a natural right to health care? If so, what does this right encompass (e.g.: a right to emergency life-sustaining treatment, a right to the best care currently available, the right to elective procedures like cosmetic surgery)?
PHIL250 – Final Exam Essay 2
Guidelines The magazine has strict requirements for the essays they accept and publish. In order to meet the requirements for this essay you are required to do the following:
 Write an essay of at least 500 words.
 Incorporate a minimum of two (2) scholarly references used as support for your premise, the objection to your premise, a conterargument response, or with your conclusion.
 Follow the standards of APA formatting.
 Type your essay in 12 pt. Times New Roman or Arial Font.
 Use 1-inch margins.
Essay Structure Your essay should contain the following elements:
 Thesis Statement: A statement that clearly defines the position for which you are arguing.
 Your Position: An argument stating your position(respond to the questions). Only present what you think is the best argument for each position. Arguments should have clearly identifiable premise(s) and conclusion(s). Arguments should be understandable to the general audience. This should represent the bulk of your essay.
 Objection: A reasonably strong objection to your position. The objection will address the argument you present directly or indirectly by supporting an alternative view. No straw man arguments.
 Response: A response to the objection. You must how and/or why you are still correct in your original position, or say how and/or why the objection defeats your original position. Your response must concern how the objection affects your position. Your response to the objection is often called a conterargument if it defeats the objection.
 Reference: A minimum of two (2) scholarly references used as support for a premise, the objection to your position, a conterargument response, or with your conclusion. You may use as many as four (4) references, and you are welcome to do additional background research and reading. Be sure to critically evaluate your references and use the information gathered effectively, ethically, and legally.
Summary The focus of this assessment is your ability to present and criticize arguments. You do not have to be an expert on the subject matter. You need to present well-reasoned positions for your views, and a reasonable objection to your opinion as a way of demonstrating your ability to value multiple perspectives related to an argument.
Your instructor reserves the right to use a plagiarism detection software and any plagiarism may result in a zero (0) being given for the entire exam.
Please see below for the grading rubric.
PHIL250 – Final Exam Essay 3
PHIL 250 – Final Exam Essay Grading Rubric Criteria Exceeds Expectations Meets Expectations Below Expectations Points Introduction & Thesis 10 points
10 – 9 points
Defines and organizes the scope and aim of the paper. Gives precisely a brief summary of the paper. Thesis clearly defines the arguing view. Extremely clear to the reader.
8 – 7 points
Organized and gives the reader a basic idea of what will be in the paper. Thesis is well stated and clear to the reader.
6 – 0 points
Thesis is confusing and may not be clear to the reader. Missing introductory paragraph and lacking thesis statement.
Your Position, Objection, & Response 50 points
50 – 45 points
Position is clearly stated, well organized, and has claims that are supported by research. Objection and Response (counterargument) are clear, and relevant to the student’s Position.
44 – 35 points
Position is stated and understood. Some aspects of argument left unconsidered. Research is present, but indirectly supports student’s Position. Objection and Response are somewhat unclear, and/or are