Description
Book SynopsisTrade Review"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."--Jennifer McWeeny, Worcester Polytechnic Institute "I really like that Writing Philosophy is set up for students to read and study on their own."--Heidi Malm, Loyola University Chicago
Table of Contents*=New to this Edition Preface: PART I. READING AND WRITING 1. How to Read Philosophy What 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 Judgment Writing a Paraphrase or Summary Applying the Rules 2. How to Read an Argument Premises and Conclusions Judging 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 True Applying the Rules 3. 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 Language 4. Defending a Thesis in an Argumentative Essay Basic Essay Structure Introduction: Argument Supporting the Thesis: Assessment of Objections: Conclusion: Well-Built Essay: Writing 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 Draft: An Annotated Sample Paper 5. Avoiding Fallacious Reasoning Straw Man Appeal to the Person Appeal to Popularity Appeal to Tradition Genetic Fallacy Equivocation Appeal to Ignorance False Dilemma Begging the Question Hasty Generalization Slippery Slope Composition Division 6. 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 Needed PART 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 Clearly Exercises: Writing Effective Sentences 8. 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 Exercises: Choosing the Right Words Appendix A. Formatting Your Paper Appendix B. Documenting Your Sources * Appendix C. Answers to Exercises * Appendix D. Researching a Philosophy Paper Index:
