1. Philosophy is concerned with problems, so always begin your essay with a leading question. "Thinking about" some philosophical issue can be fun, but too easily loses direction and purpose. For instance, thinking about "freedom" involves too much territory, far too many different problems and perspectives. Asking such questions as, "Is freedom of action compatible with scientific determinism?" or "Can there be freedom in a socialist state?" gives your thinking a specific orientation and way of proceeding.
2. Be clear about the difficulties you face in tackling the question. Are the terms of the question clear? (It is not necessary to "define terms" at the start of your essay. Indeed, defining the key term might be the basic and most difficult conclusion you reach.) Also, it is often a poor idea to consult a dictionary (even if a good one) as a way of clarifying your question. Dictionaries are not written by philosophers and generally reflect popular usage—which may include just such philosophical misunderstandings as you are attempting to correct.
3. Make clear what you are arguing. Don’t force the reader (your professor) to guess where you are going. When you are clear about the question you ask, it will help you clarify the answer you intend giving, and vice versa. In fact, you may well change your mind—both about the question and the answer—several times while you are writing (the real danger of attempting a one-draft-the-night-before approach to essay writing.)
4. Argue your case. Show clearly why you hold the position you do. The most frequent criticism of student papers is, "This is your assertion; where is the argument?"
5. Anticipate objections to your position and to your arguments, and take the offensive against rival positions. If you don’t know what your position is opposed to, it is doubtful you are clear about what your position is. If you can’t imagine how anyone could possibly disagree with you, you probably haven’t thought through your position thoroughly and carefully.
6. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, to be humorous, or charming, or sincere, or personal. The most powerful philosophical writings—those that have endured the centuries—often reflect the author’s deepest concerns and attitudes toward life. However, remember that no philosophical writing can be just humorous, or charming, or sincere, or personal. What makes it philosophy is the fact that it involves general concerns and careful arguments, and that it attempts to prove an important point and answer one of the age old questions.
THE WRITING PROCESS
Writing a Critique
To critique a piece of writing is to do the following:
describe: give the reader a sense of the writer’s overall purpose and intent
analyze: examine how the structure and language of the text convey its meaning
interpret: state the significance or importance of each part of the text
assess: make a judgment of the work’s worth or value
FORMATTING A CRITIQUE
Here are two structures for critiques, one for nonfiction and one for fiction/literature.
The Critique Format for Nonfiction
Introduction
name of author and work
general overview of subject and summary of author's argument
focusing (or thesis) sentence indicating how you will divide the whole work for discussion or the particular elements you
will discuss
Body
objective description of a major point in the work
detailed analysis of how the work conveys an idea or concept
interpretation of the concept
repetition of description, analysis, interpretation if more than one major concept is covered
Conclusion
overall interpretation
relationship of particular interpretations to subject as a whole
critical assessment of the value, worth, or meaning of the work, both negative and positive
The Critique Format for Fiction/Literature
Introduction
name of author and work
brief summary/description of work as a whole
focusing sentence indicating what element you plan to examine
general indication of overall significance of work
Body
literal description of the first major element or portion of the work
detailed analysis
interpretation
literal description of second major element
detailed analysis
interpretation (including, if necessary, the relationship to the first major point)
and so on
Conclusion
overall interpretation of the elements studied
consideration of those elements within the context of the work as a whole
critical assessment of the value, worth, meaning, or significance of the work, both positive and negative
You may not be asked in every critique to assess a work, only to analyze and interpret it. If you are asked for a personal response, remember that your assessment should not be the expression of an unsupported personal opinion. Your interpretations and your conclusions must be based on evidence from the text and follow from the ideas you have dealt with in the paper.
Remember also that a critique may express a positive as well as a negative assessment. Don't confuse critique with criticize in the popular sense of the word, meaning “to point out faults.”
| Last Updated: 10/19/22 |