Throughout the book Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?, Sandel presents different real-life ethical dilemmas and questions of “justice” and the arguments that surround them.
Using the ideas from the book, three sources of outside research, and the philosophical perspectives, present an argument around ONE of these ethical dilemmas as stated in the text.
Price gouging after Hurricane Charley (or other natural disasters)
Who should qualify for the Purple Heart
The financial bail out of 2008
The Afghan Goatherds
Cannibalism on the English lifeboat
The benefits of lung cancer (according to Philip Morris)
The exploding gas tanks of the Ford Pinto
The EPA “discount” for Seniors
The price of overnight guests at St. Anne’s College
Taxing the rich to help the poor (the Bill Gates/ Michael Jordan case)
Selling organs for transplantation
Assisted suicide
Consensual cannibalism
Hiring soldiers, substitutes, and a market army
Pregnancy for pay
The case of Bill Clinton
About the Essay:
This essay is an argumentative research essay based on a factual case discussed in the book so far. Be sure to select a topic from the list above that you are interested in exploring further as you are expected to use outside research along with ideas from the text (including the philosophers tied to certain perspectives). These are all actual cases, so you should be able to find factual information on the events that transpired.
Sandel presents the “question” surrounding each ethical dilemma, so be sure to re-read the section of the book that presents your ethical dilemma.
Your essay should include:
Your essay must include at least two quotes from Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? and at least two quotes from each of your THREE outside sources/ research. Note that any readings provided to you in this course cannot be used (with the exception of Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?). The quotes from Justice and your outside sources should be used to support your own points, not to summarize the source. Any quote, paraphrase, or area containing summary should be cited properly.
Note that an MLA formatted Works Cited page listing all sources is required for this essay. Please view the resources in our course site for information about how to create a Works Cited page.
Make sure to introduce the sources and authors before you start referencing them.
The sources must be cited using correct MLA format, including a Works Cited page and in-text citations.
Examples of in-text citations: Sandel states, quote would go here (56). OR quote would go here (Sandel 56).
Note that the in-text citation is really important as it will match the entry for that source on the Works Cited page.
This essay should be written and formatted according to MLA guidelines, which includes:
Double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman or Calibri
1-inch margins on all sides
Your last name and page number in the right header
A unique title for your essay, centered at the top of the first page (12-point font)
Your first and last name, the course title (English 7A), your instructor’s last name (Ulibarri) and the essay due date should be placed in the top left of the first page according to MLA format guidelines.
MLA In-text citations and a Works Cited page listing all sources.
Some important things to note about writing a formal argument essay:
Avoid personal opinion in a formal writing (such as this essay).
Avoid conversational language, such as referring to the reader directly, or using the first-person I or you.
Try to develop ideas fully without simply summarizing what happened in the readings.
Focus on the concept/ thesis for your discussion. Your essay should use the two sources to prove your thesis while providing your own analysis to link ideas.
Remember to discuss quotes or areas of summary with your own analysis of how it supports the thesis. Let the reader know why that particular piece of information was important to prove your thesis.
Your claims should stem from, and be supported by, your sources. Therefore, the topic should provide you room for discussion and critical thinking. Too broad of a topic will not have an argument; too narrow of a claim will not be an effective argumentative essay.
