How to write Philosophy Papers

[supergloom]

I am an undergraduate and I need serious help in writing philosophy papers. I ask profs and TA's on tips, but all I get is a Socratic reply which is very frustrating as I am very interested and want to learn. Can anyone help me? :sick::bawling::yawnb:

[qspeechc]

Well, one way is to read philosophy essays :p
For instance, I like John Stuart Mill's writing, and he's unusually clear and quite modern too. Read philosophical essays and books be various authors, modern and old. Camus, Sartre, Greyling, whatever tickles your fancy.
But I am guessing you dont have the time for all that.

[Shatov]

I am an undergraduate and I need serious help in writing philosophy papers. I ask profs and TA's on tips, but all I get is a Socratic reply which is very frustrating as I am very interested and want to learn. Can anyone help me? :sick::bawling::yawnb:

Michael Huemer has a solid writing guide, filled with examples:
http://spot.colorado.edu/~huemer/writing.htm


And here you'll find a general guide for what to do before you actually write.
http://www.molloy.edu/sophia/research/contents.htm

[Buh4Bee]

I'd agree with all the above. I'd really check out the cites listed by Shatov. They look good and it could be a quicker way then reading essays. I'm assuming you are in a philosophy class? If so, you probably will read some essays? Pay attention to the writing style.

Some other random tips:
know your audience
stay on topic
you may have to summarize, so know your subject well enough to do this
have a friend proof read (minor, but can make all the difference)

[Jozanny]

sugar,

Find an introduction to philosophy text, and look up basic terms, like induction, deduction, a priori, begging the question, syllogism, and so on, as modern philosophy tends to be technical rather than reflective and accessible.

Beyond learning basic terms, a thesis paper is always a thesis paper, and by 11th grade, at least, an American student should know the basics of creating one. If not, consult an English grammar text, like Harbrace.

Reading other philosophers is nifty, but most instructors are judging your ability to think about philosophical problems, so you need to get these basics down.

[mayneverhave]

In my university philosophy classes (and I can only speak for my particular university), it's not hard to seperate yourself from most of the rest of the class by a knowledge of particular philosophers, particular writings, and particular concepts.

For example, if your class is discussing Plato's concept of forms and ideas, you could counter with Aristotle's Third Man argument and thereby distinguish yourself.

[blazeofglory]

Bertrand Russel is really appealing and I think beginners must start with him for his books are very carefully written with a purpose of making them comprehensible to all.