How do you start writing a philosophy paper?

Question: How do you start writing a philosophy paper!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

People have their methods, but what I like to do with a topic is to mull it over and write down every question I come up with, until I have a pretty good list, and I can't think of any more!. Some of the questions might have obvious answers, others I might not be so clear on!. I then try to organize the list in some logical order where the most basic question gets asked first and each subsequent one follows from the previous!. Whenever I run into a definition or idea that has a lot of contention to it, I end up with a bunch of questions of the type "Could it be!.!.!.!?" In these cases I treat each one as a subquestion of the bigger question "What is!.!.!.!?"!.

Once I've done this I have a pretty good outline for my paper, with subheadings and all!. At this point, I might drop a few questions, because they don't fit well or the outline is too extensive!. Depending on how relevant sources have to be, I move on to answering the questions either from research or just reason!. Even when I have to adhere to sources, as in a paper about a specific philosopher, I try and answer the questions briefly off the top of my head, to see where I stand prior to looking at any research material!.

Once I have done the research and the questions are answered, I'll likely have come up with additional questions inspired by the readings!. This is especially true of topics I know very little about!. It's always easier to make yourself somewhat familiar with what you'll be writing about before you start this process!. Once I've placed and answered these, I move on to writing an introduction and conclusion!. I base the introduction on my initial questions, and my conclusion on my final answers!.

This might not be the most expedient process, but it produces very structured, exhaustive papers, and writing them this way, gives you a more comprehensive understanding of the topic!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If the subject of your paqer is a specific topic, such as "All men are mortal," then you need to work out the syllogism that got you or your teacher--if he/she chose the topic--to that conclusion!.

You must be clear that your syllogism is both valid and sound!.
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Only then can you argue the position without contradicting yourself, or whatever else is known to be true about the statement!.

If the paper is on a specific author, use only a limited number of quotes, then explain what the quote means!. If you use too many quotes you run the risk of showing you don't understand the subjects in the quotes, that all you know how to do is steal quotes!.

And when you do explain what a quote means, create a syllogism for each argument you make!. If you use a quote and your own argument is not on point, if it contradicts without meaning to contradict, for example, then that, too, shows you don't understand the subject!.

What ever you write, just be absolutely certain that you prove you understand the subject!. Being absolutely perfect in your arguments is not necessary because logic is a very tricky subject and even the masters like Aristotle made mistakes!. One of his mistakes almost got Galileo convicted of heresy!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I normally start with a sentance that has the philosphers name in it!. Such as Areostotle was a revolutionary and visonary!. He had many great ideas etc etc etc!. Then put in a thesis statement after your intro sentance!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

With a number two pencil with a good eraser!.!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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is red really red!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

YOU JUST HAVEWww@QuestionHome@Com