PHIL 250: Medical Ethics (Stempesy)

Critical Analysis Structure

A critical analysis paper should present an argument that defends a position on the assigned ethical dilemma. The goal is to educate the reader on the ethical scenario, present a solution to the issue, and defend your selected solution. Below is a rough outline of the different sections of a critical analysis paper. 

1. Introduce your case study
   • Identify the ethical issues and single out the one you will address
2. Analyze the case
   • use class readings and your own research to discuss the case
   • present your judgement about what should be done and why. 
3. Defend your position against possible objections
   • What arguments exist against your position? How can you refute those arguments? 
   • Basically: Why are you right?

Some Questions to ask about your Case Study

• What are the facts of the case? What more do you need to know about the facts in order to decide what to do?
• What are the ethical issues involved in the case? What ethical theories best help to decide what to do?
• What should be done? Who should decide? Make an argument for your position and defend it against possible objections.

Some questions to ask while evaluating your sources:

• What are some strengths of this position?
• What are some weaknesses of this position?
• Are there any points made by the author that aren't logical?
• Does the author overlook any important factors they should consider?
• What assumptions does the author make?
• How do this author's claims connect to claims made by other authors on the same topic?
• What is the author's established credibility?
• What is the Author's purpose in writing this?