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The Four-Sentence Paper: A Template for Considering Objections and Replies.
- Source :
- Teaching Philosophy; Mar2015, Vol. 38 Issue 1, p49-76, 28p
- Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- They say that argumentative writing skills are best learned through writing argumentative essays. I say that while this is excellent practice for argumentative writing, an important exercise to practice structuring such essays and build critical thinking skills simultaneously is what I call the four-sentence paper. The exercise has the template They say . . ., I say. . ., one might object. . ., I reply. . . One might object that the assignment oversimplifies argumentative writing, stifles creativity, promotes an adversarial attitude, or that students can't consider objections well anyway. I reply that a simplified form of argumentative writing is fine for beginners, especially since the template is ubiquitous in philosophy; that any assignment template has room for creativity; that considering objections is consistent with good manners; and that despite some pitfalls of trying to defend a thesis and consider objections, students are capable of considering objections well with proper instruction and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- ACADEMIC discourse
STUDENT attitudes
CREATIVE ability
ACADEMIC debating
PHILOSOPHY
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01455788
- Volume :
- 38
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Teaching Philosophy
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 101880892
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.5840/teachphil20151730