Logic 70:240 Midterm Essay Instructions
The Assignment: Write an essay on any of the philosophical topics covered during the course
(my discussion or notes), any of the essay or discussion questions in the course book, or provide
your own.
This is an opportunity for you to explore any topic on logic with slightly more depth than we can
cover in class, to write about a topic that may interest you, and to receive a grade for this. You
are not expected to submit a proof or to do formal logic in your essay. You are expected to
discuss philosophical issues arising within logic, to provide a clear thesis statement about some
topic in logic (or a question from the book), and to defend this thesis with argument.
Details of Assignment
Due: 26, February, 2021
Lateness penalty: 1/3 letter grade
Value: 30% of grade for class
Length: 5-7 pages*
Formatting: Use 12 point font and standard margins. Include one blank page. Use Times, Times
New Roman, Calibri or Ariel fonts please. Please no cover pages. Otherwise, you may use any
formatting and referencing style you prefer. Do not ask me if you can use a particular
referencing or formatting style, I will simply say yes.
If you choose your own essay topic: Be very clear what the topic of your essay is. Include a
brief thesis statement at the beginning of your essay (2-3 sentences) saying what the essay is
about. Say briefly why you chose this topic (this does not count towards length of the essay).
How I Grade Essays:
[A+] Essay demonstrates understanding of the topic and course content, has a clear and
unique thesis, defends the thesis with arguments and responses to counterarguments, and
refers to some relevant material outside the course content.
[A-, A] Essay demonstrates understanding of the topic and course content, has a clear
thesis, defends the thesis with arguments, and refers to some relevant material outside the
course content.
[B+] Essay demonstrates some understanding of the topic and course content, has a clear
thesis, and defends the thesis with arguments.
[B-, B] Essay demonstrates some understanding of the topic and course content, has a
thesis and defends this with arguments.
[C-, C+] Essay demonstrates some understanding of course content. Essay may fail to
have an identifiable these, or to defend this thesis specifically with argument.
[D-, D+] Essay demonstrates insufficient understanding of course content. Essay may fail
to have an identifiable these, or to defend this thesis specifically with argument.
[F] Essay demonstrates insubstantial understanding of the course content and fails to have
an identifiable thesis.
