Try to be convincing. A good general procedure for answering our questions (and others) is to start with the strongest and clearest arguments, falling back to weaker or more obscure ones only as necessary. Most of us will agree on something like this ranking:
It is not necessary to cite some prior author for every argument. However, when you employ the words or ideas of another, you should cite some source accessible to the reader.
Start with an intro paragraph that includes your thesis and a sketch of your argument. It's much easier to understand a paper that announces where it's heading at the start. Don't wander from the topic. If you find yourself writing conflicting statements, at least acknowledge the conflicts. Never substitute big words for reason. Never pad the essay with flattery of science.
Each body paragraph should make a distinct point and in general should be arguing one of your premises. In a paper of this length, you should usually have 2-3 body paragraphs.
A concluding paragraph should ideally summarize your argument and show how it supports your conclusion.
See Compass for an 'exemplary' submission, as well as this sample essay and other comments, to help illustrate the style expected.
We are not picky about the detailed format of papers (margins, etc.), except that we would like you to double-space. We also require that ALL written assignments be submitted as a text file (e.g. '.doc' or '.docx') via SafeAssign on the Compass website, which automatically checks for plagiarism (if you have concerns about this, let us know; see Compass for more info). (We may also use other methods in some cases for additional plagiarism checks.)
Homework submissions should be double-spaced and generally 500-750 words. If you find that you can complete your argument in fewer words, do not pad the paper -- brevity is a virtue -- but keep in mind that these assignments are very short and that most of the time, your challenge will be to fit a cohesive, reasonably strong argument into the short space available. Late homework will be accepted, but will be penalized 5% per day (until no credit remains), beginning right after the due time.
Grading: All homework will be graded out of a total of 20 points; see Compass for the grading rubric.
For usage/ grammar guidelines, consult the Handbook by Willis on Compass. Also see the general remarks about writing.
Homework 2: due on Compass by the beginning of class on Tuesday, 8 Sept.
Prior to Newton, but after Galileo and Kepler, the question of whether Copernicus' system was right, or about right, was still debated. Present an argument for preferring the Copernican, Tychonic, or Ptolemaic model (or modifications of those models) at that time. (Alternative argued positions are welcome, but be sure not to simply avoid having any thesis!) You should: include specific evidence; make some comparison among all three systems, to the degree necessary for your argument; and be sure to stick to the time period in question.
Beginning with homework 2 (and for all future homework assignments): If you wish, you may pair up with someone else in the class to submit a debate-style dialogue as a tandem assignment. Each of you should submit the complete dialogue, including the name of your partner. If you wish to pursue this option, both of you will receive the same grade. Tandem assignments can be quite fruitful in developing your arguments and practicing responding to counterarguments.
Homework 3: due on Compass by the beginning of class on Thursday, 17 Sept..
You believe that the Sun will rise (so to speak) tomorrow and that other events can be predicted from past events. This belief is called the "principle of induction". Try to present an argument justifying the principle and explaining its limitations. (If you don't believe it, you may present your reasons, but consider that we would not expect to be able to read them, since there would be no reason to expect the traditional connection between the keys you press and any symbols that might appear in your document.)
Homework 5: due on Compass by the beginning of class on Thursday, 15 October.
According to Einstein, many of the world's fundamental features that we are accustomed to viewing as objective, absolute facts (e.g., the size of an object or the simultaneity of two events) cannot be determined without specifying a reference frame for the measurement. In other words, equally good observers will give different accounts of such features. This result is often summarized by saying, "Einstein showed that everything is relative." Is that an accurate summary? Citing specific features of the theory of relativity, write a persuasive evaluation of that summary for a non-specialist reader.