Argument and Ethics
Suicide and Euthanasia Final Exam Essay Prompt
NOTE: You may bring with you to the exam a unique outline (not copied from another student) from which you will write your paper. This outline shall be on
one A4 sized sheet of paper and written in proper outline from (see your Bedford Handbook for details). Your outline can be double or single spaced and
should be on ONE side of the paper only. Your margins should be minimum 2 inches, your font Times New Roman 12-point. A violation of any of the above
guidelines will result in the student not being able to use the outline for the exam. Outlines must be submitted to turnitin.com a minimum of one hour before
taking the final exam. The outline that is brought to the exam will be turned in to the teacher.
Answer the prompt in a coherent essay. Be sure to substantiate your opinion with logical reasoning and evidence. You should NOT use sources outside of your
class readings to answer the questions.
Remember that good essays will not launch into answering the questions, but will have an introduction with thesis statement explaining the purpose or major
argument of the paper (sometimes it is easiest to write the introduction last), well-developed and substantiated body paragraphs where key points are made, and
a conclusion.
Essay prompt.
In the film, The Suicide Tourist, Craig Ewert says, “At this point, I’ve got two choices. If I go through with it, I die, as I must at some point. If I don’t go
through with it, I die, as I must at some point. If I don’t go through with it, my choice is essentially to suffer and to inflict suffering on my family and then die - possibly in a way that is considerably more stressful and painful than this way. So I’ve got death, and I’ve got suffering and death. You know, this makes a
whole lot of sense to me.”
Do you think that Ewert was justified in travelling to Switzerland and having the Dignitas organization assist him in committing suicide? If so, why or why
not? Would your answer be different if Ewert was actively euthanized rather than committing suicide? Explain. You must use information from all of the
authors/articles we have read to make your arguments. Integrate information from these authors in the form of paraphrased points or quotes as you compose
your paper.
Excellent
Knowledge
(35 points)
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Thinking/Inquiry
(35 points)
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Communication
(30 points)
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Good
Adequate
Very detailed content/ideas
All concepts are very clearly defined
Exemplary use of
evidence/examples
Mastered knowledge of essay
conventions
Argumentative strategies are highly
effective
Analysis is exceptional: arguments
and supporting points are broken
down very effectively using the
elements of critical thinking
Essay demonstrates a highly
innovative thinking/problem solving
process
Exceptional definition/analysis of
term
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
Reasonably detailed content/ideas
Most concepts are clearly defined
Reasonable use of evidence/examples
Reasonable knowledge of essay
conventions
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Unevenly detailed content/ideas
Some concepts are clearly defined
Some use of evidence/examples
Some knowledge of essay conventions

Argumentative strategies are reasonably
effective
Analysis is strong: arguments and
supporting points are broken down
effectively using the elements of critical
thinking
Essay demonstrates a reasonably
innovative thinking/problem solving
process
Reasonable definition/analysis of terms

Argumentative strategies are
somewhat effective
Analysis is competent: arguments and
supporting points are broken down
somewhat effectively using elements
of critical thinking
Essay demonstrates some innovative
thinking/problem solving
Some definition/analysis of terms
The writer is very aware of and
demonstrates his/her knowledge of
purpose, audience and philosophy
essay conventions
Narrative is crystal clear, well
organized, highly coherent and
connected (both arguments and
paragraphs)
Narrative is very focused and
unified
Minimal errors in: Spelling,
Grammar, Punctuation, Diction,
Sentence Structure and Format

The writer is reasonably aware of and
demonstrates his/her knowledge of
purpose, audience and philosophy essay
conventions
Narrative is reasonably clear, organized,
coherent and connected (both arguments
and paragraphs)
Narrative is reasonably focused and
unified
Some errors in: Spelling, Grammar,
Punctuation, Diction, Sentence Structure
and Format
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The writer is basically aware of and
demonstrates his/her knowledge of
purpose, audience and philosophy
essay conventions
Narrative is somewhat clear,
organized, coherent and connected
(both arguments and paragraphs)
Narrative is somewhat focused and
unified
Major errors in: Spelling, Grammar,
Punctuation, Diction, Sentence
Structure and Format