Instruction
SOME HELPFUL GUIDELINES ON WRITING A PHILOSOPHICAL ESSAY
Generally, an essay in philosophy has a tripartite structure (i.e., three parts): introduction, a body,
and a conclusion. Read below to get a general idea of what each of these could involve.
I. Introduction
Generally, the function of an introduction is to briefly state the thesis of the essay – the aim in this
part is to introduce the reader to the what is at issue and what the reader can expect to gain from
your essay. For example, in terms of philosophy, you could briefly summarize and articulate the
main points of the philosophical issue at hand. A brilliant essay does that in one paragraph; you
may take two brief ones.
II. The Body
These are where you formulate and articulate the particulars of your thesis which you have
identified in your introductory paragraph. Don’t be afraid to get into the details of the discussion
to help the reader understand why the issue is of philosophical significance. Once you have
formulated the issue well (with reference to the readings), you may enter into a discussion of the
strengths and weaknesses of the relevant philosophical positions that are being discussed.
III. Conclusion
It is here that you analyse the discussion and adopt a stance on the positions and issues that you
have delineated in the body-paragraphs: you summarize the discussion and offer brief reasons why
your stance should be accepted by the reader in light of your discussion of the philosophical
problem at hand, following which, you conclude your essay. In sum, summarize, analyse, conclude!
If your discussion is well articulated in the Body, all you need is one paragraph. But, again, feel
free to spread it out over two.