Writing philosophical papers is difficult enough when you’ve already formed your ideas; as peer writing tutors, we’re usually well-equipped to help writers communicate things they already know.
But what if a writer comes in and has no idea where to begin? There’s lots of things we can do to help, but if it’s a philosophical prompt, we tutors might need a little guidance ourselves. So here are three general steps you can follow to orient yourself and your writer around the start of a philosophical paper!
Step 1: Understand the Text
If your writer is stuck before they’ve written a single word, worry not! Many universities have provided resources to help. In researching this topic, I found two impressive guides from both Harvard University and the University of Toronto.
When beginning philosophical papers, both esteemed guides suggest that the writer understand the text thoroughly. An important convention of philosophical papers is defining any specialized vocabulary, so your writer needs to know if there is any, and what to do with it! Here are some questions that you can pose to your writer to get them talking about what they know regarding the text:
- What question is the philosopher answering?
- Were there any specialized terms in the text? If so, could you define them for me?
- Was this philosopher influenced by their environment?
This beginning step is important, and it’s one whose techniques you might already know! In “Collaboration, Control, and the Idea of a Writing Center,” Andrea Lunsford presents two writing center extremes, one of which she calls “Garrett Centers.” Essentially, this style of writing center prioritizes the writer’s funds of knowledge, seeking to draw the information from within them with open questions. Though this model isn’t always applicable, in the case of philosophical brainstorming, it’s a good idea to emphasize your writer’s knowledge and perspective!
Step 2: Establishing a Stance
Once both you and the writer understand the philosophy you’re addressing, ask more directed questions to help the writer solidify their response! Your goal here is to get the writer talking about what they know, so that they can formulate an argument around the relevant concepts. Here are some examples:
- Do you agree with this philosopher? Why or why not?
- Do you think this question is worth answering? If so, how would you answer it?
- Does this philosophy apply do you, in your modern day?
Step 3: Communicating Your Ideas
It’s quite possible with philosophical writing to become absorbed by all the specialized vocabulary and concepts. However, in present-day philosophical academia, there’s a push to make these concepts applicable, practical, and accessible. In “Philosophical Writing: Prefacing as Professing,” Rob McCormack makes a compelling argument for philosophy as more than just a representational field, more than abstract thinking! In line with these ideas, your third step is all about communicating well with your audience! Here are some techniques that you can use to help your writer convey their argument with clarity and focus, and bring philosophy into the practical world!
- If you’re using specialized terms, be sure to define them early on.
- Try rephrasing a complex claim in another way, or providing an example.
- To avoid losing your reader, be sure to tie back to your thesis often!
Remember: above all, help your writer form their own ideas! In these papers, they are a Philosopher! Your job is to help them perform this role!