Rent 9780195179569 | Writing Philosophy : A Student's Guide to Writing Philosophy Essays

Summary Table of Contents

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 toread 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, supp... MORE

Preface

vii

PART I READING AND WRITING

(102)

Chapter 1 How to Read Philosophy

(18)

What Is Philosophy?

... MORE

(4)

Reading Philosophy

(6)

Rule 1-1 Approach the Text with an Open Mind

(1)

Rule 1-2 Read Actively and Critically

(1)

Rule 1-3 Identify the Conclusion First, Then the Premises

(1)

Rule 1-4 Outline, Paraphrase, or Summarize the Argument

(1)

Rule 1-5 Evaluate the Argument and Formulate a Tentative Judgment

(1)

Writing a Paraphrase or Summary

(3)

Applying the Rules

(5)

Chapter 2 How to Read an Argument

(22)

Premises and Conclusions

(6)

Judging Arguments

(12)

Rule 2-1 Know the Basics of Deductive and Inductive Arguments

(3)

Rule 2-2 Determine Whether the Conclusion Follows from the Premises

(8)

Rule 2-3 Determine Whether the Premises Are True

(1)

Applying the Rules

(4)

Chapter 3 Rules of Style and Content for Philosophical Writing

(12)

Rule 3-1 Write to Your Audience

(1)

Rule 3-2 Avoid Pretentiousness

(2)

Rule 3-3 Keep the Authority of Philosophers in Perspective

(1)

Rule 3-4 Do Not Overstate Premises or Conclusions

(1)

Rule 3-5 Treat Opponents and Opposing Views Fairly

(2)

Rule 3-6 Write Clearly

(2)

Rule 3-7 Avoid Inappropriate Emotional Appeals

(1)

Rule 3-8 Be Careful What You Assume

(1)

Rule 3-9 Write in First Person

(1)

Rule 3-10 Avoid Discriminatory Language

(2)

Chapter 4 Defending a Thesis in an Argumentative Essay

(30)

Basic Essay Structure

(12)

Introduction

(2)

Argument Supporting the Thesis

(1)

Assessment of Objections

(1)

Conclusion

(1)

A Well-Built Essay

(8)

Writing the Essay: Step by Step

(12)

Step 1 Select a Topic and Narrow It to a Specific Issue

(1)

Step 2 Research the Issue

(1)

Step 3 Write a Thesis Statement

(1)

Step 4 Create an Outline of the Whole Essay

(3)

Step 5 Write a First Draft

(3)

Step 6 Study and Revise Your First Draft

(1)

Step 7 Produce a Final Draft

(1)

An Annotated Sample Paper

(5)

Chapter 5 Avoiding Fallacious Reasoning

(11)

Straw Man

(1)

Appeal to the Person

(1)

Appeal to Popularity

(1)

Appeal to Tradition

(1)

Genetic Fallacy

(1)

Equivocation

(1)

Appeal to Ignorance

(1)

False Dilemma

(1)

Begging the Question

(1)

Hasty Generalization

(1)

Slippery Slope

(1)

Composition

(1)

Division

(2)

Chapter 6 Using, Quoting, and Citing Sources

(7)

Rule 6-1 Know When and How to Quote Sources

(3)

Rule 6-2 Do Not Plagiarize

(2)

Rule 6-3 Cite Your Sources Carefully

101

(1)

Rule 6-4 Build a Bibliography if Needed

101

(2)

PART 2 REFERENCE GUIDE

103

(23)

Chapter 7 Writing Effective Sentences

105

(13)

Rule 7-1 Make the Subject and Verb Agree in Number and Person

105

(2)

Rule 7-2 Express Parallel Ideas in Parallel Form

107

(1)

Rule 7-3 Write in Complete Sentences, Not Fragments

108

(1)

Rule 7-4 Connect Independent Clauses Properly

109

(2)

Rule 7-5 Delete the Deadwood

111

(1)

Rule 7-6 Put Modifiers in Their Place

112

(2)

Rule 7-7 Be Consistent in Tense, Voice, Number, and Person

114

(1)

Rule 7-8 Communicate Pronoun References Clearly

115

(3)

Chapter 8 Choosing the Right Words

118

(8)

Rule 8-1 Select Nouns and Verbs Precisely

118

(1)

Rule 8-2 Prefer the Active Voice

118

(1)

Rule 8-3 Use Specific Terms

119

(1)

Rule 8-4 Avoid Redundancy

119

(1)

Rule 8-5 Be Aware of the Connotations of Words

120

(1)

Rule 8-6 Learn to Distinguish Words That Writers Frequently Mix Up

121

(2)

Rule 8-7 Strive for Freshness; Avoid Clich�s

123

(1)

Rule 8-8 Do Not Mix Metaphors

124

(1)

Rule 8-9 Beware of Awkward Repetition

124

(2)

Appendix A Formatting Your Paper

126

(7)

Appendix B Documenting Your Sources

133

(13)

Index

146

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