Writing Philosophy: A Student's Guide to Writing Philosophy Essays is a concise, self-guided manual that covers
the basics of argumentative essay writing and encourages students to master fundamental skills quickly, with minimal
instructor input. Opening with an introductory chapter on how to read philosophy, the book then moves into the
basics of writing summaries and analyzing arguments. It provides step-by-step instructions for each phase of the
writing process, from formulating a thesis, to creating an outline, to writing a final draft, supplementing this
tutorial approach with model essays, outlines, introductions, and conclusions. Skills essential to evaluating arguments,
citing sources, avoiding plagiarism, detecting fallacies, and formatting final drafts are dealt with in detail.
The final two chapters serve as a reference guide to common mistakes and basic skills in sentence construction,
writing style, and word choice.
Employing a rulebook format similar to that of the classic Elements of Style (by Strunk, White, and Angell), Lewis
Vaughn distills helpful writing advice into simple rules that students can easily remember and apply--and that
instructors can refer to when reviewing student papers. These rules cover essay organization, sentence structure,
documentation styles, plagiarism, grammar, usage, and more. Written in a clear and engaging style and incorporating
samples of student writing, Writing Philosophy is an indispensable resource for virtually any philosophy course.
Table of Contents
Preface PART I: READING AND WRITING 1. How to Read Philosophy What Is Philosophy? Reading Philosophy Rule 1-1. Approach the Text with an Open Mind Rule 1-2. Read Actively and Critically Rule 1-3. Identify the Conclusion First, Then the Premises Rule 1-4. Outline, Paraphrase, or Summarize the Argument Rule 1-5. Evaluate the Argument and Formulate a Tentative Judgment Writing a Paraphrase or Summary Applying the Rules 2. How to Read an Argument Premises and Conclusions Judging Arguments Rule 2-1. Know the Basics of Deductive and Inductive Arguments Rule 2-2. Determine Whether the Conclusion Follows from the Premises Rule 2-3. Determine Whether the Premises are True Applying the Rules 3. Rules of Style and Content for Philosophical Writing Rule 3-1. Write to Your Audience Rule 3-2. Avoid Pretentiousness Rule 3-3. Keep the Authority of Philosophers in Perspective Rule 3-4. Do Not Overstate Premises or Conclusions Rule 3-5. Treat Opponents and Opposing Views Fairly Rule 3-6. Write Clearly Rule 3-7. Avoid Inappropriate Emotional Appeals Rule 3-8. Be Careful What You Assume Rule 3-9. Write in First Person Rule 3-10. Avoid Discriminatory Language 4. Defending a Thesis in an Argumentative Essay Basic Essay Structure Introduction Argument Supporting the Thesis Assessment of Objections Conclusion A Well-Built Essay Writing the Essay: Step by Step Step 1. Select a Topic and Narrow It to a Specific Issue Step 2. Research the Issue Step 3. Write a Thesis Statement Step 4. Create an Outline of the Whole Essay Step 5. Write a First Draft Step 6. Study and Revise Your First Draft Step 7. Produce a Final Draft An Annotated Sample Paper 5. Avoiding Fallacious Reasoning Straw Man Appeal to the Person Appeal to Popularity Appeal to Tradition Genetic Fallacy Equivocation Appeal to Ignorance False Dilemma Begging the Question Hasty Generalization Slippery Slope Composition Division 6. Using, Quoting, and Citing Sources Rule 6-1. Know When and How to Quote Sources Rule 6-2. Do Not Plagiarize Rule 6-3. Cite Your Sources Carefully Rule 6-4. Build a Bibliography if Needed PART 2: REFERENCE GUIDE 7. Writing Effective Sentences Rule 7-1. Make the Subject and Verb Agree in Number and Person Rule 7-2. Express Parallel Ideas in Parallel Form Rule 7-3. Write in Complete Sentences, Not Fragments Rule 7-4. Connect Independent Clauses Properly Rule 7-5. Delete the Deadwood Rule 7-6. Put Modifiers in Their Place Rule 7-7. Be Consistent in Tense, Voice, Number, and Person Rule 7-8. Communicate Pronoun References Clearly 8. Choosing the Right Words Rule 8-1. Select Nouns and Verbs Precisely Rule 8-2. Prefer the Active Voice Rule 8-3. Use Specific Terms Rule 8-4. Avoid Redundancy Rule 8-5. Be Aware of the Connotations of Words Rule 8-6. Learn to Distinguish Words that Writers Frequently Mix Up Rule 8-7. Strive for Freshness; Avoid Clich�s Rule 8-8. Do Not Mix Metaphors Rule 8-9. Beware of Awkward Repetition Appendix A: Formatting Your Philosophy Paper Appendix B: Documenting Your Sources Index