The Nine Paragraph Analytic Essay: Applied Ethics Defense Papers/Fall 2013 (adapted from A. Mark Williamson’s handout, Spring 1992) The analytic philosophic essay is closely related to the persuasive essay but is even more akin to the scientific essay. Scientific and philosophic essays aim for truth over mere persuasion, and hence should alert the reader to their own inadequacies. Philosophy is anti-dogmatic reasongiving. Science too demands justification for theories, but does not call everything into question. But for the philosopher, all is theoretical and so may be called to the task of justification by argument whenever it is germane to the question at issue. The philosopher, in order to be antidogmatic and to avoid begging the question, must present explicit arguments for any presupposition the interlocutor finds unacceptable. You will be picking any topic in applied ethics, and using the specific format below, you’ll be defending that particular view (e.g. the right to assisted suicide, the moral permissibility of stem cell research, the justification of capital punishment, etc.). The position you argue need not be your own view, nor does the assignment require that you disclose such information. You will, however, write in first person. The pattern of presentation outlined below will demonstrate to the reader that you have anticipated his/her likely objections and have provided responses. Each movement of ideas in the essay must be cast as an argument. An argument is composed of a series of reasons which justify one's conclusion. Remember that the most common of all argumentative errors is the "bare assertion" fallacy, a conclusion without premises to support it. Use a simple, clear, crisp, direct writing style. Clarity is a prime virtue in the analytic essay. Paragraph #1: The introductory paragraph has three elements to be presented in this order (and no other): topic, thesis, and organizational plan. The topic presents the subject of the debate; it does not tell your position. Simply describe the controversy. The thesis describes your position, which will be your conclusion. While you may write a number of sentences about your stance, there must be one clear concise statement which is obviously your thesis. This is not a flowery English essay, nor a mystery story; be explicit. The third part of the introductory paragraph is the organizational plan. Here you will simply tell the reader how you will go about achieving your thesis. Basically, this will be an ordered list of names of arguments. Arguments must always be named after some salient feature of their premises. Do not give any arguments in the introductory paragraph. Simply list, in order, self-explanatory names of the arguments and other elements of the essay. For example: " first I will describe the X view which I oppose, and then I will present my first argument for Y, followed by....” Do not forget that the counterarguments and responses are part of the coming essay. The introductory paragraph should be short, direct, and useful to the reader. Paragraph #2: In the second paragraph you describe the view to be controverted. Simply state with whom (or with what theory or position) you are debating. Describe, but do not attack, the thesis of your opposition and then list self-explanatory names of the reasons they give in support of their view. This is similar to giving their thesis statement and organizational plan. Doing so will further clarify the nature of the debate. Remember, do not interject any criticism in this paragraph. Paragraph #3: The body of the essay begins with your first argument. The topic sentence of an argumentative paragraph must not be equivalent to the conclusion. This may make the argument appear circular, and in fact, sometimes leads the writer into a circular argument. The topic sentence may also be a transition. Next, present your premises. An argumentative paragraph ends with the conclusion (and clarifications of the conclusion, if necessary). Paragraph #4: After each argument you must anticipate arguments against that argument; these are called "counterarguments (an objection is simpler and may suffice in most cases; however, if an explanation is needed for why the opponent objects, this will ultimately amount to a need for a full blown counterargument).” Here you demonstrate that you are aware of likely criticisms of your argument. Note that a counterargument is a meta-argument. It is an argument about the acceptability of another argument. Do not confuse the counterarguments with the positive reasons an interlocutor would give for his own thesis. A counterargument always has a conclusion which (in effect) claims another argument is flawed. Again, remember that paragraph #4 is an argumentative paragraph and so must not lead with a conclusion. The topic sentence should describe the subject of the paragraph but not its conclusion. Or, the topic sentence may be a transition statement. Make sure you identify the opponent here and not yourself as the objector, otherwise it will look confusing! Paragraph #5: If you do not respond to the counterargument, you have lost. The response paragraph presents another meta-argument. You argue that the counterargument (or objection) is somehow flawed and that your original argument still stands as persuasive reasoning for its conclusion (This is your response to the opponent, and what you give here will either be a counter-counterargument, or if possible, the simpler method of giving a counterobjection). Paragraph #6, 7,8: Simply repeat the argument, counterargument, response pattern described above, but with different arguments, responses, etc. Paragraph #9: The conclusion restates your purpose and thesis and the kinds of reasons you employed. Sometimes the conclusion may need an argument which shows the import (significance) of the debate. Cover sheets should not be used; just put name, Phil 1320, the current semester and my last name in the top left hand corner, single spaced. Skip a space, indent the title, skip a space, and then go into your paper. Use a minimum of three scholarly sources. Use MLA, APA, or Chicago Manual of Style. Plagiarism, intentional or not, is grounds for an F in the course.