Philosophical persuasive essay argument Literature & Language Essay

I included everything.
Textbook : Philosophy: A Text with Readings (12th Ed.)
Philosophically Persuasive Argumentative Essay on The Nature of the Self: Due _________ in the D2L Drop Box by 11 PM in PDF file format.
This essay should be written in a formal academic style. Your paper should be:
• 3-5 pages (You must have at least three pages of writing, which does not include your name and title area or the Works Cited page)
• Double spaced
• With 1-inch margins
• 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font
• proofread and spell-checked.
• In MLA format, with in-text citations of all sources and a Works Cited page. (You must at least cite the
textbook for your basic understanding of concepts and theories.) Any essay without appropriate in-text citations and a Works Cited page will automatically receive a zero. Do not hand in an essay without citations and a Works Cited page.
• In PDF file format. (This is very important!)
• On some aspect of The Nature of the Self AND focused on the material (concepts, theories and
themes) covered in Chapter 2 of the textbook.
• Work with a writing tutor if at all possible. They will help you to push the quality of your writing one step further.
Before writing this essay, you should read:
• The “Critical Thinking” excerpts from Chapters 1 & 2 on what an argument is. The most relevant will be posted along with the below.
• Pryor, "Guidelines on Writing a Philosophy Paper"
• Citation Instructional Packet
• How to format your paper according to MLA guidelines
Again, you philosophical essay must have a thesis related to the material (concepts, theories and themes) covered in Chapter 2 of the textbook (on the nature of the self).
Some things to note:
• You should generally not attempt to support your argument’s conclusion with only your own experience (but well-done academic research that supports your own perceptions of what is true for everyone or particular groups can be justifiably used as support). So if you use empirical premises, they should be about facts that are objectively verifiable. If you use logical premises, they should be demonstrably true by using logical analysis that shows inconsistencies in alternative premises, notes about contradictions, if . . . , then . . . statements, identification of fallacies, etc.
• An argumentative essay is generally organized with a thesis (your conclusion), supporting points (your premises), and support that tells the reader why your premises should be accepted as true by everyone. We will be working with a template that incorporates a couple of other important sections as well.

Grading criteria include:
• Organization into meaningful paragraphs. There are many ways to organize a philosophy paper,
depending on what you are trying to do in the paper. We will be working with an Outline Template in this class, which you will receive as a separate handout.
o An opening paragraph with your overall summation, thesis, or conclusion (What is the big point you are trying to draw out? or argue for? Or argue against? And how will you do what you propose to do?)
o A second paragraph, if needed, to define the key concepts and finish framing the overall issue (examples of key philosophical terms you MIGHT include, if relevant to your focus, are the continuous self, dualism, the mind, consciousness, the body, the problem of personal identity, the atomistic self, and the relational self).
o At least two-three paragraphs that elaborate on the supporting points for your overall summation or thesis which was stated in the opening paragraph. Clear examples, studies and/or good reasons can be used here to directly bolster your supporting points.
o A counterargument section, if counterarguments were not included with your supporting points sections.
o A concluding paragraph that restates what your main point was and what you just did to support it.
• Logical flow of ideas and paragraphs—this goes along with organization; however, if your paper is outwardly organized but is illogical or presents contradictions, it still lacks logical flow. Drawing out the relation between ideas, theories, or concepts also falls under “logical flow”. Use transitional language to guide the reader and remind the reader where you are in your overall plan for the paper. For example, you may use phrases like “I just elaborated how it is that . . . and now I would like to address . . . .” or “The reason this is important is that . . . .” and so on.
• Precise language—this includes the proper choice of words, and explaining things with enough specificity to make your meaning clear.
• Grammatical clarity—a reader trained in academic English should be able to easily follow the construction of your sentences.
• Specific examples and clear definitions of key philosophical terms --examples of key philosophical terms you MIGHT include, if relevant to your focus, are the continuous self, dualism, the mind, consciousness, the body, the problem of personal identity, the atomistic self, and the relational self.
• Relevance —you chose a question or topic to address that is relevant to the topic choices provided in the assignment.
• Attribution—be sure to cite any sources from which you drew your ideas, and be sure to use quotation marks appropriately. There is no shame in drawing from the work of others so long as it is minimal, and acts only as an adjunct to the main ideas, the bulk of which should be your own.
• Accuracy—you use only strong evidence and you attribute any claimed facts to the appropriate persons. Any summaries of the ideas or statements of others are done without particular bias (in the spirit of generosity).
• Avoidance of Fallacies—fallacies are considered incorrect forms of inference or reasoning.
We are arguing if you can really separate your self and how you think from reality.
Writing a Philosophy PaperChoosing a Topic/Creating a Thesis Statement3 of 4 Here are some of the themes covered in Chapter 2 on Human Nature. You may use these to help you choose your own themes, theories and concepts from the textbook, or just turn to the textbook to find your own ideas. You should not create this as a template for your paper. Your paper should be appropriately organized according to your focus.• The Problem of Personal Identity— oTake a look at some photos of yourself throughout your lifetime. What makes you today the same person as you were when these various pictures were taken? Is it the continuity of your body? Or the continuity of your mind? Or the continuity of your memory? Or what is your theory and how is it related to the theories in the textbook? oIs there such as thing as a self that endures through changes (of time, of physical features, of personal values, etc.)? • The Question of the Relational Self versus the Independent Self— oIf you turn inward, withdrawing from the world, in order find your “real self”, is what you find somehow independent of your relations to others and your culture? Or, is what you find as your “self”, even when withdrawing in order to isolate it, still nonetheless the product of a complex and variegated process of constitution by our relation to others and the world? oHow did you get where you are? Was it entirely due to your own individual efforts? Or was it at least a part of being born at a particular juncture in history, within a particular culture, or set of cultures, with a particular family, with economic advantages or disadvantages? To what extent are you responsible for how your life has turned out? oAre your desires, mental capabilities, beliefs, and so on resistant to and independent of, or dependent upon and importantly constituted by, those who have been significant to you, as well as your culture