Topic: Is same-sex marriage a morally acceptable institution? If so, on what grounds? If not, why not?
Term paper assignment
The assignment
- For the term paper you will be composing a 1,000 – 1,500 words (approx. 3-5 page) paper. This paper will be a straightforward, thesis-based composition (an “argumentative paper”).
- Required components of the paper:
- A leadoff question, to which your paper will then provide an extended answer.
- 3-5 body paragraphs presenting your supporting arguments. Some of these may contain arguments of reason, some arguments based on empirical evidence, or some may contain some level of combination.
- 1-2 body paragraphs presenting counterarguments. When you write a counterargument you are considering possible objections to your own basic position, or aspects of it. Once you present such a counterargument, you immediately go about refuting it, thus strengthening your own position.
- A concluding paragraph, which will summarize the main points of the paper and then reformulate your thesis statement in light of what has been said in the body paragraphs.
Starting with a question
- The question to which your paper will provide an answer should be placed at the top of the paper, before the first paragraph, like a title (you may include an additional paper title if you wish, but it is not required). The answer to that question will represent the position you will take up and defend over the course of the paper.
- You may select any question from the slate of questions that I will be providing you. If you wish, you may formulate your own question, but if you do so you must get this question approved by me before you proceed to writing the paper
Composing Advice
- Select the question that most interests you and that you feel best equipped to answer in a thoughtful and thorough manner.
- Write down some initial responses to the question, some thoughts on how you might answer it, as well as how you might support your answer.
- Identify those sections of the textbook that are most relevant to your selected question. Re-read those sections, and as you do underline passages that are directly relevant your question. You may also want to take some notes on how what is said in these passages might support your argument or present a challenge to your argument (and how you might have to revise some of your initial thoughts in light of what these passages contain).
- Begin to identify and articulate 2-4 arguments you might make to support your thesis. Also identify 1-2 counter-arguments that you might take up in your paper.
- Once you’ve done some pre-writing and begun to develop your arguments, I recommend drawing up an outline for the paper. Even if your paper does not end up strictly following the structure of the outline, constructing one can helps you organize your thoughts so that you can be more methodical in expressing them in written form.
- Write the paper.
- Review and revise the paper.
- Edit and proofread the paper.
Optional research
- While you are welcome to conduct research and consult sources beyond the textbook, this is in no way required. If you do decide to do so I encourage you to refrain from doing too much of it, as it will potentially disrupt your focus from the main task, which is to construct a convincing and thorough moral argument.
Nuts and Bolts
- 1,000 – 1,500 words (3-5 pages)
- Paper must be preceded by a question, which the paper will then attempt to answer.
- Use Times New Roman, 12-pt. font. Double-spaced. (This assignment document is Times New Roman, 12-pt. font, but single-spaced.)
- Due date & time: December 16, 5:00pm.
This assignment is worth 20pts. Max.
…………………Answer Preview………………..
Traditionally, marriage has always been an important part of people’s relationship. It is viewed by the society as the coming together of a woman and man, the bonding of two individuals who form an emotional support as well as economic wellbeing. This aspect has led to the society viewing the whole marriage institution as something that is holly and pure. However, the gay marriages currently being witnessed in the society have to the emergence of the question whether marriage should be between a man and a woman only, leading to the same sex marriages being believed to be immoral by some members of the society. Morality is usually defined as the extent of what is right…..
APA
1256 words
