OC2: consultation with & citation of secondary sources optional (some recommended). Note: All outside sources must be documented with in text references to bibliographic entries. Primary source materials from our text must be documented with in text page references.
Plan A: Supercommentary: Examination of a thesis from
the reading:
Part I: In which the thesis is stated/quoted & explained
by you (OC2).
Part II: Defense of the Thesis: (1) author's argument(s)
for the thesis stated/quoted & explained by you (OC2); (2) further
elaboration (optional).
Part III: Evaluation of the Thesis: (1) evaluation/criticism
of the author's arguments for (OC2); (2) independent objections to the
thesis itself (OC2); (3) possible (or actual) rejoinders to the criticisms
and objections (OC2).
Part IV: Conclusion: (1) bottom line of the evaluation:
thumbs up or down the thesis & why in your estimation (OC2); (2) So
what? (morals, further implications, alternatives, etc.)
PLAN B: Examination of a Controversy or Topic (e.g., whether
there are innate ideas).
PART I: Stating the Issue: (1) State/quote & explain
(OC2) the (opposed) theses of 2 or more authors thereon (e.g. Leibniz &
Locke); (2) preview your conclusion (e.g., I will argue that Leibniz is
right & Locke's attack on innate ideas fails because blah blah blah.
If you don't know what conclusion you'll come to, come back & write
this preview last.)
PART II: Arguing the Issue: (1) State/quote & explain
(OC2) the arguments of each author, their defenses of their own theses
& criticisms of other's; (2) further elaboration (optional).
PART III: Evaluation of the Issue: (1) evaluation/criticism
of the authors' arguments (OC2); (2) independent objections to the theses
themselves (OC2); (3) possible (or actual) rejoinders to the criticisms
and objections (OC2).
Part IV: Part IV: Conclusion: (1) bottom line of the
evaluation: thumbs up or down on the various theses & why in your estimation
(OC2); (2) So what? Moral of the story: further implications, alternatives,
compromise theses, etc. (OC2).
PLAN C: Other plans may be acceptable. No biographies or book reports. Run something by me if you're in doubt.