Philosophy Essay Assignments
Dale Larson
Grays Harbor College
As our Course Description explains, you have two 750-word expository essays
to write, one arguing against a particular philosophical claim and
one arguing
for another. Beyond Woodhouse's tips on writing, this
handout offers advice on general guidelines, argument design, and prose
polishing for both.
General Guidelines
Although free choice rules, you should try to address some philosophical
issue covered in class. I do not expect essays to be research essays requiring
diligent library work. I am rather interested in your arguing intelligently
and seriously clear, contestable claims, claims always prompted by class
reading. Quote from the text whenever and wherever a particular philosopher's
argument applies. But do not merely summarize the argument without defining
and defending one of your own. Think of philosophical issues as public
property, and of your arguments as private. Offer illustrations from your
own experience and good thoughts from your own head. The trick is arguing
clearly and consistently.
Argument Design
Include an explicit statement of your argument given the relevant author
and text read. Define your main claim quickly, a point needing defense
or elaboration, refinement or clarification, or perhaps a little quibbling.
Then stick to your point, delineating your argument by holding to what
seems right for understanding. Offer readers explicit words of introduction,
transition, and conclusion. Include appropriate bits of illustration, showing
what can't be told well (or vice versa). Shape sound structures
of logic covering assumptions implied and consequences entailed. Although
boldness sells an argument, remember that brashness doesn't. So concede
what's weak and then get on with making your point. If it is good, it will
sometimes make itself.
Prose Polishing
Edit. Edit. Edit. Like the Realtor's saying, "Location, Location, Location,"
remember that "proper words in proper places" is, as Jonathan Swift says,
a good definition of "style,"
which sometimes saves an argument. So edit, edit, edit, revising for clarity,
consistency, and cogency. The argument you save may be your own.