Assignment
This is how my proffessor want the paper to be format:
Here is the outline I would like you to follow:
1. Introduction (state the thesis)
2. Background (give relevant history of the issue and current laws, if applicable)
3. Explain Theory 1 (probably Virtue Ethics, Duty Ethics, or Utilitarianism)
4. Apply Theory 1 to your thesis
5. Explain Theory 2
6. Apply Theory 2 to your thesis
7. Evaluate the approaches
8. Conclusion (summarize and/or restate the thesis)
Here's an example that might be helpful to your understanding of the outline.
Topic: Gun Control
Outline stated in short
Intro- Thesis statement: No handguns or assault weapons should be allowed in the United States except by police as mandated by Federal Law (or constitutional amendment if needed)
Background - There is a history of gun control measures being full of holes because it is not federal and/or weak control or not enforced.
Explain Theory 1 - Utilitarianism argues that an action is good if it increases pleasure and reduces pain, or otherwise contributed to the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
Apply Theory 1 - This proposed gun control would reduce the murder rate and gun violence - - thus reducing the pain of gun violence and bringing about the pleasure associated with a safe society.
Explain Theory 2 - Duty theory suggests that we should not consider consequences, but rather do our duty to obey a universal law
Apply Theory 2 - Duty theory is often about rights. Some argue that we have a duty to recognize the rights of people to carry these weapons, no matter the consequences. I would argue that our duty to recognize the right to live is more pressing.
Evaluate the approaches - We might all agree that reducing gun crime is good. Should we value the right to carry arms more? No. We should value the right to be safe from gun violence more. The rights are conflicting and safety is a more basic right.
Conclusion (summarize and/or restate the thesis) - This law should be passed because safety and the right to safety is more important than the right to carry a gun.