A. Clearly state the topic for the essay and explain concisely why it is of philosophical interest. What is the philosophical problem at stake in this issue? B. Present at least two sides of the problem, or else present a position and an objection to it. In doing so, you must draw on your sources. (See below.) It is very important to offer a balanced assessment of arguments on both sides. If you cannot offer a sympathetic assessment of at least two contrasting viewpoints, you either have not identified a genuine philosophical problem, or else you have not researched it thoroughly enough. There may very well be more than two relevant viewpoints. If this is so, you can either focus on what you see as the two most important, or else discuss others. C. Present your own analysis and resolution of the problem. You should do so with reference to one or more of the philosophical principles or theories we have studied term