Wikimedia Commons. So, include an opposing viewpoint (a counterargument) to your opinion. How to Write a Thesis Statement What is a Thesis Statement? some thesis or argument, often a thesis or argument that has been presented by another philosopher (a thesis is argument, you may be asked to do one or more of the following: explain it, offer an argument in support of it, offer an objection to it, defend against an objection to it, evaluate the arguments for and against it, discuss Read it thoroughly and make sure you understand it fully to the best of your ability. Through the whole paper, the writer strives to defend the claim he made and provide a wide range of facts that go to support it. With philosophy papers, it is best to use quotes from the text only when it is absolutely necessary. The writer must have all knowledge related to the idea. ; An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience. Image source: Sergui Bacioiu. But a philosophy thesis should posit an original argument. Your thesis will be very straightforward. The trick to successful philosophical writing is to know how the whole essay will look before writing a single word. Almost all of us—even if we don’t do it consciously—look early in an essay for a one- or two-sentence condensation of the argument or analysis that is to follow. A strong thesis will: answer a question; be engaging; it can be challenged or opposed, thus also defended; pass the "so what? Writing a good philosophy paper takes a great deal of preparation. In the example below, the writer makes statements about the literature related to the aims and interest of the thesis. Image source: Hartmann Schedel. Don't wait until the night before to start your paper. There are only a limited number of strategies to adopt with this sort of essay. Arguments consist of one or more premises and a conclusion." George Mason University. This is what propels the review onward. “Let’s see if this author can convince me.” This blog post will dissect the components of a good thesis statement and give you 15 thesis statement examples that you can use to inspire your next argumentative essay. … Philosophical writing adheres to a strict core format that must always be followed. A first-year paper can -- and often should -- aspire only to interpret previous philosophical texts correctly. Instead of simply summarizing ideas or information, in a philosophy paper you must present and defend an argument. More often, then, a thesis statement should appear at or near the … It can be the first sentence, although that’s often a rather simplistic and unexciting way to begin your paper. A good thesis statement acknowledges that there is always another side to the argument. Like any argument, that of a literature review is built up through claims supported by evidence - in this case, evidence from the literature. CC BY 2.0. We refer to that condensation as a thesis statement. Source: Writing Guide for Philosophy. The simplest type of argumentative essay is one that simply criticizes the position of an opponent. After all, it’s called a thesis statement for a reason! The origin point of every philosophical essay must be the outline. Philosophical problems and philosophical writing require careful and extended reflection. In this paragraph, state and analyse all the chief philosophical points. Step 4: Write the first argument-Explain the first argument to support your thesis. This thesis statement should appear somewhere in the introduction to your paper. Your thesis can be a few sentences long, but should not be longer than a paragraph. Your blueprint for writing: Therefore, you should not rely too heavily on quotes or even paraphrased passages from your sources. It will take one of these forms: Person so-and-so is wrong to conclude _____. A thesis statement is that sentence or two that asserts your position on a given issue, specifically, the position that you will be arguing for in your paper. In turn, … The outline is a blueprint for the essay that provides the writer with the structure. To write a strong philosophy paper, start by outlining your paper. Choose textual references. The goal of your paper is to explain and evaluate a philosophical argument in your own words. Determine what kind of paper you are writing: An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience. A philosophical essay must consist of the introduction, body, and conclusion. After the introduction that will also be containing your thesis, you have to explain your philosophical argument. why should I care?" "An argument is a connected series of statements or propositions, some of which are intended to provide support, justification or evidence for the truth of another statement or proposition. It is a claim or a fact that the essay writer presents as reality throughout the essay. A Thesis Helps You and Your Reader. Essay structure. Understanding how to write a philosophy paper accurately is crucial to instituting a solid thesis. Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement. Publius Ovidius Naso and Plato. A good research essay, in general, uses rational argument to lead readers down a path to conclusive, hard to contradict resolution. Argument in the body of the literature review. Wikimedia Commons. Writing a philosophy paper is different from writing other papers. Public domain. If you’re having trouble thinking of an argument that hasn’t been made before, the best place to start is with a piece of philosophical literature. You have to present your points in support or against the argument. 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