Here's what I am looking for (and perhaps more importantly what I don't want to see).
First of all, you must follow, thoroughly and exactly, all of the precise directions in the "Response Paper Instructions" document, which can be found under Course Content > Assignment Instructions. There is no substitute for reading and following all of the Instructions there. After you have read that Instructions document, you can move on to consider what I share below. I want you to succeed. The following is to help you avoid some common mistakes and shortcomings I've seen from past students.
Note the following dos and don’ts....
1. DO stick with the outline in the Instructions: you could even turn the five questions into headings (and sub-headings if necessary).
DON’T go down rabbit trails. Avoid peripheral issues. I do not want to see a general article on the existence of God, I want to see an article responding precisely to the points that were specified.
2. DO focus on understanding and applying the arguments and concepts in the course materials.
DON’T just repeat arguments verbatim from the book. I want you to refer to the book in your answers, however I don’t want you to just copy an argument out of the book and feel like you answered the objection. Explain how this argument from the book answers this particular claim.
3. DO take the article seriously and treat all “sides” of the issue with respect.
DON’T make disdainful comments about atheists or their motives. Also DON’T use this as an opportunity to comment about the assignment being hard or difficult, how you are “just not a philosopher,” or other such disparaging remarks. Such remarks are non-academic and non-professional and will result in a reduction of grade.
