Penultimate Draft Instructions

By now you have in hand your paper topic (a very general description of the topic upon
which you will write), an annotated bibliography (a list of sources, explaining how each is
relevant to your chosen topic), a thesis statement (identifying the exact claim you will advance
in your paper) and an outline (detailing the different sections of your paper, and the contents
of each). The next step is to write a good draft of your paper which skillfully puts all these
elements together. Specifically, the next assignment should include the following:

(1) Paper Title: Give your paper a title that accurately reflects its content and main purpose.

    Example: "You Need an Attitude Adjustment: A Critique of the Pessimistic Meta-Induction"

(2) Abstract: Include a 100-word abstract of your paper. This can be an updated version of
your paper topic paragraph, revised in light of your research and thinking since that first
assignment. It should clearly communicate to the reader what your paper is about and what
the paper argues.

(3) The Paper: This is a good, first draft of your paper. You must include the paper's thesis
statement on the first or second page of the paper in bold face font. This is to insure both
that the thesis statement is included, and also that it is evident to the reader what the paper's
thesis is. As I read your paper, I will be focusing on your thesis statement, and will be
evaluating your paper in large part on the basis of how well the paper clarifies and addresses
the issue identified in the thesis statement, advances arguments in its support, and considers
and responds to objections to it. Obviously, therefore, the thesis statement is of critical
importance. Be sure to provide explicit arguments for your position, raise relevant objections
to your arguments, and respond to these arguments. Your paper should demonstrate awareness
of conflicting points of view, whether these concern substantive philosophical theses or points of
interpretation.

(4) Bibliography: The paper must include a correctly constructed bibliography of the sources
actually used in the paper (not every source that you read or considered using). Remember that
the paper must demonstrate effective use of at least three relevant sources.

(5) Paper Checklist: Include the completed Paper Checklist . This is to insure that you have
attended to all the necessary elements of a well-written paper. Please pay special attention to
stylistic matters of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Papers that are generally good in other
respects often fail completely by failing to exercise proper stylistic care. Really.

Do not hesitate to contact me if you need or desire any assistance with this assignment.

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