Writing effectively for a philosophy course does not merely start with the general principles of good writing just outlined, it sets out to show mastery of these principles. It embodies them thoroughly, especially with respect to achieving—
Clarity
Simplicity without distortion by oversimplification Economy of expression or, to put it negatively, the absence of padding
The writing assignments you will be given in philosophy class are of course varied, but they almost always fall into two broad categories:
- Expository assignments
- Argumentative assignments
Expository writing describes and explains. “Concisely characterize the philosophy of JeanPaul Sartre” is an example of an expository assignment. Argumentative writing, as the adjective implies, does not merely describe but argues for a position, interpretation, or conclusion. “Support or refute Sartre’s assertion that the existence of a person precedes their essence.”
We need to note that argumentative writing always requires some exposition, and expository writing typically calls for some argument. So, the two categories are not pure. Moreover, as members of the Department of Philosophy at Oregon State University observe in their excellent Writing Philosophy Papers: A Student Guide, “Philosophy is a problemsolving enterprise.” This being the case, most philosophical writing requires elements of sound argumentation. Following the Oregon State philosophers, we can add to the principles of good philosophical writing eight philosophy-focused skills:
- The ability to identify a philosophical problem
- The ability to organize ideas effectively
- The ability to define concepts clearly
- The ability to analyze arguments clearly and effectively
- The ability to compare and contrast clearly and effectively
- The ability to give relevant examples
- The ability to convincingly apply theory to practice
- The ability to test hypotheses
