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    Answering Philosophy Questions - University of

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    Heidi Rose Mendoza
    This document provides guidance on how to answer philosophy questions effectively. It recommends that students: 1) State their answer upfront and outline the steps they will take to establish their conclusion in the introduction. 2) Focus the argument section on showing why their conclusion is true by addressing what would need to be true. 3) Summarize the main points of the argument in the conclusion without introducing new material. It also provides tips on reconstructing arguments charitably, anticipating objections, and proofreading for clarity.

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    Answering Philosophy Questions - University of

    Uploaded by

    Heidi Rose Mendoza
    50 views2 pages
    This document provides guidance on how to answer philosophy questions effectively. It recommends that students: 1) State their answer upfront and outline the steps they will take to establish their conclusion in the introduction. 2) Focus the argument section on showing why their conclusion is true by addressing what would need to be true. 3) Summarize the main points of the argument in the conclusion without introducing new material. It also provides tips on reconstructing arguments charitably, anticipating objections, and proofreading for clarity.

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    This document provides guidance on how to answer philosophy questions effectively. It recommends that students: 1) State their answer upfront and outline the steps they will take to establish their conclusion in the introduction. 2) Focus the argument section on showing why their conclusion is true by addressing what would need to be true. 3) Summarize the main points of the argument in the conclusion without introducing new material. It also provides tips on reconstructing arguments charitably, anticipating objections, and proofreading for clarity.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    50 views2 pages

    Answering Philosophy Questions - University of

    Uploaded by

    Heidi Rose Mendoza
    This document provides guidance on how to answer philosophy questions effectively. It recommends that students: 1) State their answer upfront and outline the steps they will take to establish their conclusion in the introduction. 2) Focus the argument section on showing why their conclusion is true by addressing what would need to be true. 3) Summarize the main points of the argument in the conclusion without introducing new material. It also provides tips on reconstructing arguments charitably, anticipating objections, and proofreading for clarity.

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    of 2

    How to Answer Philosophy Questions

    Liam Shields: [email protected]

    A Good Introduction
     State the answer you will give up-front. This is not a murder mystery novel!
     Give an unequivocal answer. Do not just list objections or conclude “maybe, maybe not”
     Make it clear what steps you will take to establish your conclusion.
     Explain why these steps will establish your conclusion

    By stating your answer and plan early you make it easy for the examiner to follow your argument.

    It is fine to start the essay with “In this essay I will argue that…”

    Think of your introduction as a promise to the examiner about what to expect. Then all you have to do is
    keep that promise. This will help you to avoid digression and irrelevancies later on.

    A Good Conclusion
     Summarise the main points of your argument. Leave the examiner in no doubt that you have
    established your conclusion (and therefore kept your promise)
     Do not introduce new material in the conclusion. You will not have time to give this material proper
    consideration and so any time/words will have been wasted

    The Argument
     Focus on the question and think: What would have to be true for my conclusion to be true? Then
    show that those things are true.

    If the question is: “Does Jones provide a strong argument for Principle X” you must state principle ‘X’ and
    Jones’ argument, preferably in your own words using citations.

     Test the strength of the argument you reconstructed. Think: What would have to be true for this to
    be a strong/weak argument?

    You show that an argument is strong either by defending it against objections in the literature or by
    showing that it is more intuitively plausible than the best alternative(s). Likewise, you can show that an
    argument is weak is either by showing that it is vulnerable to good objections or by showing that it is more
    intuitively implausible than the best alternative(s) in.

     Do not just agree with the literature. Give your own reasons even if these are reasons for agreeing
    with some thinker whose work you have read.
     Do not merely assert that an argument is implausible. Find a counter-example. Show that those
    who reject your conclusion are committed to deeply implausible views.

    You will have to respond to some of the arguments in the literature so…
     Charitably reconstruct the objections that you do consider from the literature.
     Only consider the strongest/most relevant objection(s). Justify your choice of objection(s) in the
    introduction.

    A good reconstruction of the view you argue against demonstrates a good understanding, and your
    willingness to consider the strongest arguments makes your own argument stronger.

    Anticipate objections
     Anticipate objections that will arise in the examiners mind and respond to them

    The best essays are interesting as well as convincing, clearly written and well-structured. Interesting essays
    show independent thought. Think for yourself beyond the literature.

    Easy ways to improve your marks by proof-reading, ask yourself 5 questions:

    1. Have I made any simple errors?


    Simple errors will make your essay appear sloppy and will distract the examiner from the good bits of your
    essay. Identify them and correct them.

    2. Could I have expressed myself more clearly?


    Proof reading is not just about searching for spelling mistakes. The most important reason to proof-read is
    to ensure that you have expressed yourself as clearly as possible. Good arguments and ideas are
    undetectable if unclear. No one expresses themselves clearly in a first draft so everyone should proof-read
    several times.

    3. Have I distinguished myself from someone who doesn’t understand this topic?
    Examiners will mark according to the impression your essay gives them of you. You distinguish yourself
    from those who do not know what they are talking about by providing strong arguments for your
    conclusion. Even those who do not understand a topic can assert a conclusion and copy and paste quotes.

    4. Does my answer meet the marking criteria?


    When proof-reading, read the descriptors next to your desired mark on the mark scheme (undergraduate
    handbook). Work on the essay until the desired description fits.

    5. Are my references and bibliography accurate?


    Everyone should get top marks for their bibliography; just copy the exact style of a good journal. Always
    cite wherever you attribute a claim to a thinker. Your diligence when checking your citations will help you
    to avoid misinterpreting or misattributing an argument. It will come across as if your essay was written by
    someone who does not know what they are talking about if you attribute to Jones an argument that he
    does not make. Moreover, you will have missed the argument he does make.

    Proof-reading isn’t FUN but it will boost your marks.


    Don’t be lazy!

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