Writing Philosophy

Lewis Vaughn is the author or coauthor of numerous books, including The Power of Critical Thinking, Seventh Edition (2022); Philosophy Here and Now, Fourth Edition (2022); Writing Philosophy, Second Edition (2018); and Living Philosophy, Third Edition (2021), all published by Oxford University Press.

• PrefacePART 1. READING AND WRITING 1: How to Read PhilosophyWhat is Philosophy?Reading Philosophy- Rule 1-1 Approach the Text with an Open Mind- Rule 1-2 Read Actively and Critically- Rule 1-3 Identify the Conclusion First, Then the Premises- Rule 1-4 Outline, Paraphrase, or Summarize the Argument- Rule 1-5 Evaluate the Argument and Formulate a Tentative JudgmentWriting a Paraphrase or SummaryApplying the Rules2: How to Read an ArgumentPremises and ConclusionsJudging Arguments- Rule 2-1 Know the Basics of Deductive and Inductive Arguments- Rule 2-2 Determine Whether the Conclusion Follows from the Premises- Rule 2-3 Determine Whether the Premises Are TrueApplying the Rules3: Rules of Style and Content for Philosophical Writing- Rule 3-1 Write to Your Audience- Rule 3-2 Avoid Pretentiousness- Rule 3-3 Keep the Authority of Philosophers in Perspective- Rule 3-4 Do Not Overstate Premises or Conclusions- Rule 3-5 Treat Opponents and Opposing Views Fairly- Rule 3-6 Write Clearly- Rule 3-7 Avoid Inappropriate Emotional Appeals- Rule 3-8 Be Careful What You Assume- Rule 3-9 Write in First Person- Rule 3-10 Avoid Discriminatory Language4: Defending a Thesis in an Argumentative EssayBasic Essay Structure- Introduction- Argument Supporting the Thesis- Assessment of Objectives- Conclusion- A Well-Built EssayWriting the Essay: Step by Step- Step 1 Select a Topic and Narrow It to a Specific Issue- Step 2 Research the Issue- Step 3 Write a Thesis Statement- Step 4 Create an Outline of the Whole Essay- Step 5 Write a First Draft- Step 6 Study and Revise Your First Draft- Step 7 Produce a Final DraftAn Annotated Sample Paper5: Avoiding Fallacious ReasoningStraw ManAppeal to the PersonAppeal to PopularityAppeal to TraditionGenetic FallacyEquivocationAppeal to IgnoranceFalse DilemmaBegging the QuestionHast GeneralizationSlipper SlopeCompositionDivision6: Using, Quoting, and Citing Sources- Rule 6-1 Know When and How to Quote Sources- Rule 6-2 Do Not Plagiarize- Rule 6-3 Cite Your Sources Carefully- Rule 6-4 Build a Bibliography if NeededPART 2. REFERENCE GUIDE 7: Writing Effective Sentences- Rule 7-1 Make the Subject and Verb Agree in Number and Person- Rule 7-2 Express Parallel Ideas in Parallel Form- Rule 7-3 Write in Complete Sentences, Not Fragments- Rule 7-4 Connect Independent Clauses Properly- Rule 7-5 Delete the Deadwood- Rule 7-6 Put Modifiers in Their Place- Rule 7-7 Be Consistent in Tense, Voice, Number, and Person- Rule 7-8 Communicate Pronoun References ClearlyExercises: Writing Effective Sentences8: Choosing the Right Words- Rule 8-1 Select Nouns and Verbs Precisely- Rule 8-2 Prefer the Active Voice- Rule 8-3 Use Specific Terms- Rule 8-4 Avoid Redundancy- Rule 8-5 Be Aware of the Connotations of Words- Rule 8-6 Learn to Distinguish Words That Writers Frequently Mix Up- Rule 8-7 Strive for Freshness; Avoid Clichés- Rule 8-8 Do Not Mix Metaphors- Rule 8-9 Beware of Awkward Repetition- Rule 8-10 Spell Correctly- Rule 8-11 Distinguish Commonly Confused WordsExercises: Choosing the Right WordsAppendix A: Formatting Your PaperAppendix B: Documenting Your SourcesAppendix C: Grammar HandbookAppendix D: Researching a Philosophy PaperIndex

Vaughn's writing is exceptionally clear and perfectly crafted for an undergraduate student audience. I find Writing Philosophy to be an indispensable companion for all of my courses. It provides philosophy professors with an easy yet rigorous way to teach writing without taking away from the course curriculum.