Here are some important tips (and things to avoid) when writing your essays for this class: 

1. Clarity and Focus

• The most important feature of excellent philosophical writing is clarity. Avoid the tendency to appear profound, deep, and complicated, and try to write in a simple, clear, and straightforward way. Use short, simple sentences, and minimize jargon as much as possible. 

• Say exactly what you mean. If you're not sure about a particular word then look it up in a dictionary: find the word that coveys exactly what you want to say, and if you do use technical vocabulary, be sure you know what it means.

• Stay focused. Don’t jump around from one idea to another or switch subjects. Think about developing a central idea or thesis so that each part of your essay supports it. Focus on a single question or issue and be clear about it. 

2. Develop an Argument

• A critical argument is not just a catalogue of statements, opinions, or facts. It is an exploration into the reasons and justifications we give for our thoughts and beliefs. Thus, it’s important to develop an argument throughout your essay that offers reasons and support for a particular position. Don’t just state a position and leave it at that, but make it the conclusion of a line of reasoning that supports your position. 

• When writing about other thinkers and writers, look at their arguments in a holistic way: don’t just focus on the conclusions or final statements, but explain how the argument fits together and works (or doesn’t work). A good critical exposition is not easy and entails paying careful attention to the reasons writers give for their positions.

3.  Revise, Revise, Revise!

• Some of the best writings are explorations, and like all good explorations you may not know where you’re going or where you’ll end up. That’s perfectly fine, but requires that you rewrite your essay after discovering what you want to say. A quick draft without any revisions will likely result in a poorly crafted essay and is one the most obvious flaws in student writing. 

• Exclude unnecessary details. The process of revising your essay allows you to mercilessly delete anything that doesn’t directly relate to your argument. Don’t pad your essay with irrelevant material and don’t feel discouraged if you need to trash hours of work and start again. 

• Keep in mind that you’re not writing a mystery novel. State your position from the very beginning and, similar to the first recommendation above, stay focused on it. 

4. The Principle of Charity

• The “principle of charity” shows that you’re taking an idea or position seriously and not rejecting it without careful consideration.  If you see an obvious weakness in an argument, be charitable and strengthen it; if you see gaps in reasoning, suggest ways to close the gaps. Avoid simplistic critiques that only point out flaws in an argument without developing the strongest form of the argument. The best critiques “attack” an argument from its strongest point 

• Apply the “principle of charity” to your own argument as well: explore problems in your own argument and the reasons why a “reasonable person” might disagree with it. Be honest in your writing and admit the obvious weaknesses and how your argument could be strengthened.