Writing Guide
Top 5 Philosophy Research Paper Tips for Writing A+ Papers
Philosophy research papers need to demonstrate the student’s comprehension of the basic philosophical question that a particular philosopher or school of philosophers addresses.
In many cases, this may seem easier said than done, since philosophical language remains notoriously dense and erudite. That said, a successful philosophy research paper makes effective use of primary sources to construct a compelling paper that garners high marks.
If you have been called upon to write a research paper for philosophy, consider the following five tips:
- Use primary sources wherever possible to formulate the bulk of your philosophy research paper. For example, if your research topic is Plato’s philosophical ideal of Beauty, base your paper on Plato’s works such as the Republic and Meno. There will likely be several different translations of the source texts available to you, so choose a translation that makes the most sense to you and resonates with you the most in terms of feeling and insight in to the philosopher’s thought.
- Write exclusively about one philosophical idea. Avoid attempting a cursory overview of the philosopher’s numerous works and theories; this represents too much material to fit in one paper. Focus on one theory or idea that inspires you and build a research case around this one idea.
- Employ secondary sources exclusively to back up your response to the primary text, rather than to copy another scholar’s stance. Philosophy research papers wherein the student genuinely responds to the philosophical question consistently receive higher grades compared to those that restate other writers’ opinions.
- Write in a language that you are comfortable in and use words that you understand. Scholarly language is important; however, most professors grade research papers for philosophy according to how well the student demonstrates his or her understanding of the philosophical problem. Elevated language will not mask a fuzzy grasp of philosophy.
- Research a philosopher who is a little less well known. Common choices for philosophy research papers include Plato, Heidegger, or Nietzsche. While there is plenty of material about these philosophers, millions of papers have been written about them. A research paper about a lesser-known philosopher such as Wilfred Sellars or G. E. Moore will more likely pique the interest of your professor, and demonstrate your ability to think outside the box.
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