1. Skim the Text: Try to identify the author’s major claim(s). Pay close attention to titles, and subtitles and sentences that begin with words like, “consequently,” “therefore,” etc. Underline or highlight (not a library copy) anything you feel may be of importance. Begin to engage with the text. Ask yourself and the author questions as you go along. Don’t try to remember the questions—write them down.
2. Second Reading: Now that you know the author’s central claim reread the text to determine how and why he or she makes the claim. How does she support her position? Are the reasons the author provides compelling? Are the reasons relevant to the overall claim? Premises and/or reasons are usually preceded by words like “because,” “for the following reasons,” etc. You might want to jot down the reasons/premises. Look up definitions to the words you do not know. If you do not understand the “language” it will be very difficult to be able to understand how and why the author makes the particular claim being made.
3. Third Reading: By this point you should have a general idea of the arguments and an overall assessment of the text in question. Be sure you can answer the following questions: when did the author write the text? Why do you think the author wrote the text? In other words, what was the author’s purpose? Lastly, if you have time before class, re-read the text to remind yourself of the main points and any questions you may have. This could be replaced by reviewing your notes on the text.
1. What is the assignment? Do you have any questions about what is expected of you? If you do, please ask?
2. Make yourself some notes about the main points you will attempt to develop on the topic that you are considering. Be sure to make these notes before you begin to do too much reading. It will enable you to “focus” your thoughts improving your productivity as a reader.
3. Identify the relevant sources and/or passages. Read them.
Relfect upon them. Are they as relevant as you first
thought. How has your reading affected
your “original perspective?” Do not be
afraid to make changes. It is important,
however, that you do not wait to the last minute. If you wait until the last minute you will
not be able to reflect sufficiently on the topic or problem at hand.
4. Paraphrase the arguments you are evaluating. Paraphrasing involves putting someone else’s
arguments in your own words. Do not
provide lengthy quotations unless it is absolutely necessary. Make a list of the arguments that are
important. Then, write a few sentences
that demonstrate YOUR knowledge of the material.
5. Create an outline. Remember
every good essay/paper has an introduction and a conclusion. The introduction should be long enough to let
the reader know what the problem is and how you are going to deal with the
problem. The conclusion summarizes the
conclusions you developed in the body of the text. Make sure your thesis is clear.
6. Keep in mind, in philosophy you will always be asked to write “critical
papers.” That does not always mean that
you have to be negative. You can
highlight the important contributions an author makes and develop an analysis
that helps someone understand the philosophical position(s) and its
significance. To criticize a thesis you
must be able to demonstrate an adequate understanding of the arguments in
question. First, summarize the points
you are attempting to criticize. Second,
evaluate these points to determine which of the points are weak and why. Think of examples that illustrate your
points. Do not think of “off the wall”
exceptions. The more evidence and
examples you have for your position the stronger your positions will appear.
7. If you are asked to compare and contrast two arguments you must be able
to summarize and understand both arguments.
What are the main points? List
the similarities and differences that demonstrate your understanding of both
positions. Consider your angle on the
analysis. Are the examples and arguments
you provide compelling? Is everything
you said relevant?
8. WRITE, EDIT AND RE-WRITE.
Writing the essay the night before it is due will usually result in a
less than “adequate” paper. Write a
draft. Think about the draft. What are its weaknesses? What are its strengths? How could you improve its clarity? You might want to give your essay to a
friend. Can he or she understand you
position fully? Why not? Why?
What does your friend think are
the strengths of the paper? How about
its weaknesses?
9. WRITE, EDIT AND RE-WRITE. Keep in mind that I will be reading your assignments with great care. I will give every paper my utmost attention. As a consequence, I expect you to do the same.
10. WRITE, EDIT AND RE-WRITE: I am always glad to take a look at a draft of your papers. Take advantage!
Checklist
1. Is there a title?
2. Does the essay follow an explicit outline?
2. Is there a thesis?
3. Is the thesis stated at the beginning of the paper (usually desirable)?
5. Are the reasons identifiable? Be sure to identify each claim or statement either as yours, or as that of others, or as both.
6. Are the reasons acceptable?
7. Do the reasons support the thesis to the degree claimed? Avoid claims that are too strong.
8. Is every sentence relevant to the thesis?
9. Is the writing clear? Use short sentences. What you want is clarity and precision.
10. Is the paper well organized? Did you follow your outline?
11. Do transitions flow smoothly? Be sure there are transitions between all sentences and between all paragraphs.
12. Did you proofread your paper carefully?
(Spell-check
programs help, but are no substitute for your own critical eye. When in doubt,
look it up.)
13. Did you maintain subject-predicate agreement?
14. Is “for” used in place of “because?” Avoid this problem.
15. Did you find yourself using “as,” “due to” or “since?” Avoid the use of these expressions.
16. Are there any split infinitives? E.g. “to further understand;” corrected version: “to understand further”
17. Did you proofread your paper carefully? Please use “spell check.” Remember to proofread your paper manually. “Spell check” is not perfect.
18. Using gender-specific language where it does not belong can be confusing and off-putting. “Mankind can no longer tolerate, in his language, the presumption of maleness as a norm.”
19. Since formal writing should almost always invite correction or challenge, never use "feel" where "think" will do.
Mechanical Requirements
1. All papers must be typed. Use double spacing. Use default margins. Use a maximum of 12 point font.
2. If I ask for a minimum of two pages, then I mean two full pages. We will discuss this the first or second day of the semester.
3. Number all pages.
4. If you have more than one page, staple all the pages together. Avoid paper clips.
5. It is prudent to have a copy of your paper. Make a photocopy or have it on a disk. Yes, I can lose things.
6. Use a consistent format for footnotes and references.
7. Italicize or underline book titles, journal titles, and newspapers. Place article titles and book chapter titles in quotes.
8. PLAGIARISM
and Cheating: If you are caught plagiarizing or cheating you will receive an “F.”
9. No
late papers will be accepted!
47 RULES FOR WRITERS:
This can be found in a number of places on the internet. I do not know its original location but it
certainly provides a helpful guide to writing.
1. Verbs has to agree with their subjects.
2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with..
3. And don't start a sentence with a conjunction.
4. It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
Some infinitive verb forms are the following: “to go” TO GO
BOLDLY not TO BOLDLY GO; “to understand”
TO UNDERSTAND BETTER not TO BETTER UNDERSTAND.
5. Avoid cliches like the plague. (They're old hat.)
6. Also, always avoid annoying alliteration.
7. Be more or less specific. Make
sure that your sentences are clear and cannot be interpreted in a number of
ways. “Miguel wants to be married one
day.” Does this meant that I want to be
married for one day or does it meant that I want to be married in the future?
8. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually)
unnecessary.
9. Also too, never, ever use repetitive redundancies.
10. No sentence fragments. Refer to 1.
11. Contractions aren't necessary and shouldn't be used.
12. Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
13. Do not be redundant; do not use more words than necessary;
it's highly superfluous.
14. One should NEVER generalize.
15. Comparisons are as bad as cliches.
16. Don't use no double negatives.
17. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.
18. One-word sentences? Eliminate.
19. Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.
20. The passive voice is to be ignored.
21. Eliminate commas, that are, not necessary. Parenthetical
words however should be enclosed in commas.
22. Never use a big word when a diminutive one would suffice.
23. DO NOT use exclamation points and all caps to emphasize!!!
24. Use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
25. Understatement is always the absolute best way to put forth
earth shaking ideas.
26. Use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when
its not needed.
27. Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said,
"I hate
quotations. Tell me what you know."
28. If you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times:
Resist hyperbole; not one writer in a million can use it
correctly.
29. Puns are for children, not groan readers.
30. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.
31. Even IF a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
32. Who needs rhetorical questions?
33. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.
34. The passive voice should never be used.
36. Do not put statements in the negative form.
37. Verbs have to agree with their subjects.
38. A writer must not shift your point of view.
39. Place pronouns as close as possible, especially in long
sentences of 10 or more words, to their antecedents.
40. Writing carefully, dangling participles must be avoided.
41. If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a
linking verb is.
42. Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixing metaphors.
43. Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
44. Everyone should be careful to use a singular pronoun with singular nouns in
their writing.
45. Always pick on the correct idiom.
46. The adverb always follows the verb.
47. Be careful to use the rite homonym.
And Finally...
47. Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.