Specific Instructions on paper format
3. Must be typed in Google Doc
4.All papers must have a cover sheet with your name and class on it; you can include a title if you wish.
5. On the cover sheet, you can mention the question you are answering, though that should be clear from your first paragraph or so. It is not necessary to repeat the question, either on the cover sheet or in your answer.
6. All papers must be Times New Roman typeface and 12-point font. They must also be double spaced. There should not be spaces beyond double-spaced between paragraphs.
7. Margins must be 1 inch from the border. In Google Docs, File > Page setup, margins. Make sure all margins are set at 1. 8. Indent all paragraphs.
9. Your citations should have the proper amount of space between words, commas, and quote marks. Your citation should not look like this …end of sentence(Curtis,5). It should look like this …end of sentence (Curtis, 5).
10. You are encouraged to use secondary sources. Use secondary sources only to add to your answer. Do not rely on facts from a secondary source at the expense of the primary texts in the class, especially if the primary texts say what the secondary texts say. (It looks like you didnt read the primary text.)
11. Block quotes are prohibited, as are long quotes. Block quotes are those extended quotes that waste space in short papers (and long ones, too).
12. Spell out numbers 1 through 9 when referencing numbers. EXCEPT: Never write a number in instances where you say 3 things matter most.
13. Stay away from semi-colons; most people do not use them correctly.
14. Titles of books and magazines are italicized or underlined (Platos Republic or Platos Republic); they are not to be put in quote marks (Platos Republic). Articles in journals or magazines are put within quote marks.
15. There is no need to capitalize nouns you think should be capitalized. Only proper names and book titles are capitalized. Justice, Modernity, Equality, Philosopher and other such big or important words (nouns, in other words) are lowercase, barring their appearance at the beginning of a sentence.
16. All citations to the assigned book must look like this: (Curtis, 5), with 5 representing a page number in the book from which your quote or paraphrase comes.
17. Regarding citations, do not replace Curtiss name for Kants or any thinker in Curtiss book. The citation goes to Curtis and Curtis only.
18. Once you mention an authors name (Michael Curtis, for example), it is unnecessary to repeat his full name again. Use the authors last name.
19. Once you mention a title of a book (particularly if it has a subtitle), it is unnecessary to repeat the full title.
20. Once you mention any philosophers full name (Immanuel Kant, for example), it is unnecessary to repeat his full name. Use the last name.
21. It is unnecessary to refer to philosophers by, for example, their place or origin and their elevated status, as in: noted British Philosopher Jeremy Bentham says…. Rather: Bentham notes or says or writes, is acceptable.
22. It is necessary to cite all quotes and paraphrases correctly. Failure to do so will result in a grade of F for plagiarism.
23. Do not quote something without putting it in quote marks and cite it only. A paraphrase, on the other hand, requires a citation but no quote marks. Quotes require quote marks ().
24. Even if you only quote part of a sentence all men are created equal, and leave off We hold these truths to be self evident that, it is acceptable to end and begin the sentence with a quote mark; in other words, do not use ellipses (…) either after the first quote mark or at the end, as in: (…all men are created equal) or (We hold these truths to be self evident…).
25. If you are quoting a sentence that says: employed due to family responsibilities (Hamel et al. 2014), do not cite the citation. You must cite the book that you are reading. Put plainly, do not cite another referenced work unless you have read the work cited.
26. A bibliography is unnecessary if your only resource is the book assigned.
27. Never cite Wikipedia as a source. Citations must be specific to the article in the archive this applies to all archives on the Internet or otherwise. All internet citations require a web address in the bibliography.
28. If you use another source, you must cite it in the paper and in the Bibliography. This includes Dictionary.com and the like. Citations must correspond between text and Bibliography. That is, a citation in the paper that looks like this: (NJ Department of Education, 2014) must look like that in the Bibliography, with a citation either to the book or website.
29. Avoid contractions (wont, couldnt). Spell them out. Same with numbers one through nine.
30. If using an electronic copy of the book, on a separate page at the back of you paper, say this is an e-book.
31. Avoid writing as if you are speaking. Be formal. These are serious papers addressing serious questions. Book reviews are not Amazon reviews. Avoid saying this is a good (or bad) book; avoid giving a rating.
32. Avoid citing in-class notes (class notes; Federmans lecture). Always cite a book or some other literary authority for your ideas.
33. Avoid writing about yourself (or something not relevant) at the expense of answering the question.
34. Avoid etc. Either say what you mean or extend the example.
PAPER QUESTION:
MUST USE BOOK, I will pay for you to purchase it.
Michael Curtis, ed., Great Political Theories V.1A Comprehensive Selection of the Crucial Ideas in Political Philosophy from the Greeks to the Enlightenment.
For full credit, you must include either Plato or Aristotle and at least two modern authors from the Curtis books that we have read. You can only use authors I have assigned and we have read and cannot use any author I have not assigned or who we have not yet read.First, describe how ancient and modern theorists understand the origins of political life. What is the relationship between origins and justice? Discuss the important distinctions among the ancients and moderns regarding nature and equality. What are the benefits and problems with beginning with a state of nature? Second, why does the Declaration of Independence put such an emphasis on equality, rights, and nature? Third, draw conclusions. That is, tell the reader if there is a version of civil society that most approximates justice and why that is so. If there is not, then discuss that as well.
