Phase Five

At this point, most of you nearly have an essay, though some will still need to narrow the focus further (hint: if adequately justifying any one of your premises takes more than a normal paragraph, that might be a sign you need to make it your thesis). For Phase Five, you will edit your Phase Four draft for clarity, directness, and grammar (use the checklist, and justify any deviation from its rules in a footnote). By this time, it should not be necessary to italicize your thesis or premises -- your writing should make it utterly clear to a reader what statements play those roles. You will then add two more paragraphs:

First, you will present, and develop thoroughly, the SINGLE most powerful objection that a reasonable person might raise against your argument. This could be a challenge to one of your premises, to the strength/validity of the inference, or to a presupposition of the whole enterprise -- you may have neglected some fact or relevant understanding of the issue. Take the possibility VERY seriously that the objection may be correct, and do not be too quick to dismiss it.

Second, in a separate paragraph, reply respectfully to your objection, giving it its due and saying, to the extent possible, why you think it fails to derail your argument. It is better honestly to admit that you cannot fully answer the objection than to brush it off.

Phase Five will be due at the beginning of class on Friday IN HARD COPY (that is, printed on paper in manuscript format). I will accept Late submissions for content but not credit.

Resources: Besides Kyle and myself, you should make liberal use of the peer writing service in the library (Sunday afternoon and evening, weekday evenings; ask at the circulation desk). Be sure to take your draft and checklist; they will be best at helping you find and solve grammatical problems.