By Michael FitzGerald, Ph.D, Professor of Philosophy, General Education

Below are some resources specifically for Philosophy writing assignments. For more general resources applicable to any writing class, please see the following pages: Reference/citation managers, Finding reputable popular sources, and Resources on improving your writing.

Library databases specific to Philosophy:

  • Resource: PhilPapers
  • Description: PhilPapers is a comprehensive index and bibliography of philosophy maintained by professional philosophers. The collection includes journals, books, and open access archives. The index, the largest open access archive in philosophy, currently contains 2,826,241 entries categorized in 5,858 categories. PhilPapers also can be used to manage and generate citations for philosophical works.

Resources on Improving Your Philosophy Writing:

  • Resource: “Writing Philosophy: A Student’s Guide to Reading and Writing Philosophy Essays” by Lewis Vaughn.
  • Description: This book is a primer on composition in philosophy, with helpful practical tips and examples for undergraduate students, as well as guidance on how to read and critique argumentative essays. It also includes:
    • A rulebook that describes the basic principles of good writing;
    • A reference guide to common writing errors and skills;
    • Advice on avoiding biased and discriminatory language;
    • A chapter on commonly confused words; and
    • Sections entitled “How to Argue Online” and “When Partisanship Wrecks You.”
  • Resource: “Writing Philosophy Papers: A Student Guide”
  • Description: This handbook is a free student guide to writing philosophy papers, created by the Department of Philosophy at Oregon State University. It provides guidance on how to write a variety of different forms of philosophical prose. For example, when asked to write a philosophical précis, students can use this booklet to structure their summary. Proper citation form for philosophical references is also discussed.
  • Resource: Peter Horban (Simon Fraser University) — “Writing a Philosophy Paper” (i.e., a brief paper)
  • Description: Horban’s guide offers specific advice on structuring paragraphs in philosophical writing.
  • Resource: D.W. Portmore (Professor of Philosophy at Arizona State University) – “Tips on Writing A Philosophy Paper”
  • Description: Portmore focuses on (1) the ability to comprehend, reconstruct, and analyze complex philosophical arguments; (2) the ability to critically evaluate such arguments; (3) the ability to argue persuasively for one’s own views; and (4) the ability to articulate one’s own thoughts in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner.

Finding Reputable Popular Sources in Philosophy:

  • Resource: The Philosophers’ Magazine
  • Description: The Philosophers’ Magazine (TPM) is an independent quarterly, devoted to presenting academic philosophy in an accessible, non- technical format. It includes interviews with leading philosophers, as well as news, essays, reviews, and regular columnists. Notable for its depth, clarity, and accessibility, TPM distributed in the U.S. and Canada by the highly-reputable Philosophy Documentation Center.