Argument Outline Assignment

All philosophical texts and almost all texts contain arguments.  Arguments have two parts:

1.     A conclusion: the major claim a writer makes in any selection of a writing. This is what the writer wants to convince you, the reader, is true. To do that, the writer will evince a number of premises (see below). The conclusion is always explicitly stated (the premises are not always).

2.   Multiple premises: these are reasons the writer has for his conclusion. There are two types of premises: explicit premises are found stated within the text, whereas implicit premises are not stated, but can be inferred from the conclusion and explicit premises. Every argument has both explicit and implicit premises.

How to write it:

To write an argument outline, you will need:

1.     a conclusion. You must first check your conclusion with the professor before you begin (i.e., before you even begin working on premises). The conclusion cannot come from the first few pages of the assigned reading. The conclusion must be in your own words.

2.     a list of premises (preferably no more than one sentence each).  Even if the premises are explicit, you must put them in your own words, not the writer’s words. Obviously, only you can phrase the implicit premises.

3.     the page numbers for the explicit premises. These will be included after each corresponding explicit premise.

Rules:

1.     The outline must have at least 2 implicit premises.

2.    The outline should be no more than 1.5 pages.

3.     The outline should be in outline, not prose form.  See the example.

4.   The outline cannot be a summary.

5.     Some premises in the assigned reading may not be pertinent to the argument you are outlining. They should not be included in the outline. Impertinent premises will lower your grade.

Check the addition:

An argument is like a mathematical equation. If the premises do not lead to the conclusion, then something is wrong.

Textual source:

Draw your conclusion and premises from the assigned passage and not from outside of that passage, as much as that is possible.

Publication:                                                                                              

Each argument outline must be published on the course blog on the date due (listed on the schedule), which can be found under the “Assignments” tab on Blackboard and on the blog. Unpublished outlines will not count, even if emailed to the professor.