The following are guidelines only, and you do not have to religiously adhere to the format I
propose below in order to write a successful essay. If, however, you feel confused about
what a philosophy essay requires, I suggest that you consider structuring your essays in the
following manner:
 Introduction
 First Section: Exposition of the theory or argument under discussion
 Second Section: Statement of your opinion/judgement of the theory or argument
 Third Section: Justification of your opinion/judgement
 Conclusion
Before you begin writing: You will be given a choice of questions, to which there are no
definite “right or wrong” answers. Make sure you identify precisely what the question is
asking and that you are clear about what you are going to write in response. Do not rush!
Do not fall into the trap of – if, for example, there is a question about the Euthyphro – simply
writing everything that you know about this dialogue. – If you do this, you will not be
focusing upon the question asked and it is unlikely that your essay will receive a good grade.
Even in the exams, it is worth spending the first few minutes writing a brief plan in which
you work out the essential ingredients of your essay. Also, pace yourself, and make sure
that you can finish on time. The exams are not designed to see how many pages you can fill,
but are an exercise in constructing a coherent piece of critical writing within a given period
of time. Remember, quality is more important than quantity.
Introduction: While your essays should not simply be “stories” summarising the texts
we’ve considered, you might like to begin by briefly “setting the scene,” in no more that 2-3
sentences. If, for example, your essay is about the ‘theory of recollection,’ you might like to
explain the contexts in which this theory is introduced in the Meno and Phaedo.
First Section: After the introduction you should immediately focus on the subject-matter of
your chosen question. Later on, I expect you to express an opinion or make a judgement
about this subject-matter, but, before doing this, you must show me that you have fully
understood the subject-matter under discussion. For example, if you are writing about
whether or not Plato’s arguments for the immortality of the soul are convincing, I need to see
that you know and understand precisely how Plato attempts to prove the soul’s immortality.
You might not be convinced by any of his arguments, but your objections will lack all force
if they are not accompanied by evidence showing that you fully understand what you are
objecting to. You should therefore begin your essay by providing a clear and concise
exposition of the essential features of the theory or argument that the question is asking you
to critically examine.
Second Section: The questions you will be asked will take something like the following
forms:
 How convincing is/are … ?
 Does … sufficiently justify … ?
 It has been argued that … . Do you think that this view is justified?
Having expounded the essential features of the subject-matter in the first-section of the
essay, you now need to respond to the question as such, i.e., to state your opinion/judgement
about the subject-matter under discussion. All of the questions will concern issues about
which there is no definite “right or wrong” answer. If you are totally unconvinced by the
matter at hand, you should therefore not be afraid to say so. It may be that you are
undecided, and can see both strengths and weaknesses in the theory or argument(s) under
discussion. – If this is the case, you should also say so, as such as a response is by no means
invalid or uninteresting.
Third Section: In the Meno Socrates says that opinions “are not worth much until one ties
them down by giving an account of the reason why” (98a). It is therefore vital that you
rationally justify the opinion/judgement that you have reached concerning the matter under
discussion. If you are unconvinced by an argument that a philosopher uses, you should
identify the specific flaws in that argument. If you dismiss a philosophical theory, you
should discuss an alternative point of view that you find more convincing and explain why
this is. For example, if you dismiss the ‘theory of recollection,’ you should carefully
consider the problems that this theory was intended to answer, and propose an alternative
way of resolving those problems. And, if you object to Plato’s views, don’t assume he
would immediately admit defeat: Imagine what his comeback might be and how you would
deal with that comeback. Even if you are completely convinced by something, you might
like to consider counter-arguments that an opponent may use against you, and explain why
you find these alternatives unconvincing It is a good idea to imagine that you are writing
your essay for someone who definitely does not agree with you, and thereby treat your paper
as an attempt to persuade this imagined reader of the validity of your point of view – This
‘third section’ is the most important part of your essay and you will not be able to
receive an ‘A’ without tackling it successfully.
Conclusion: Briefly sum up your argument at the end of the essay. At this point, you might
also like to reflect upon the wider significance of the issue about which you have been
writing, e.g., consider the extent to which this issue is still relevant today.