The Philosophy Paper

Tackling Triff’s Paper

About to write your first philosophy paper? Fear not, for we are here! This Triff-approved guide contains the ‘Do’s and Dont’s’ of a philosophy paper which will help you get that much needed A. The research paper weighs 15 points of the total grade. Be willing to put in extra work to create your masterpiece. This means paying frequent visits to Triff’s office and making all the necessary revisions to ensure your paper meets his requirements. After all, he is grading your paper.

Triff is generous and sympathetic. Generous, because instead of pushing you in the deep end without a warning, he has broken down the arduous task of writing the paper into four simple assignments. (The paper proposal, the first draft, the second draft and the final paper which you will turn in at the end of the semester.) This will keep you from procrastinating which may result in the submission of a poorly worded paper. He is a sympathetic and patient reader. He reads all your arguments and provides you with slightly painful but much needed criticism. Feed on this.

Let’s get started!

Selecting a topic: You are given a choice of five topics. Although your choices are limited, select a topic you are most passionate about. Chances are you will do well in the paper.  

Format: Please ensure it follows MLA protocol. If you are not familiar with this, you could look it up online or get help from the Writing Center at MDC!

The Title - The reader needs to understand CLEARLY what your paper is going to be about.

Do: Keep it short and simple.

Example: Marijuana legalisation: The benefits of legalizing marijuana

Don’t: Pose a question.

Example: Why marijuana should be legalised

Don’t: Make it too heavy or wordy. The title tends to lose its meaning and purpose if it is lengthy.

Example: Why marijuana should be prohibited in today’s society: the legal hurdles of a multi-billion dollar industry or

Marijuana prohibition: The need to overcome decriminalization and legalisation of the drug

Structure: There is a style Triff wants you to follow. You cannot violate this rule. It distresses Triff immensely (distressed Triff = low grade).  

The First Paragraph: Contains no more than five sentences. Must have your thesis statement. This is crucial because it is the first indication a reader is given on your stance on the topic (so it should be carefully worded). Following this, you should write two statements consisting of your two strongest arguments that support your thesis. You could also write a statement to follow up on each of your arguments. So once again, that’s:

1. Your thesis
2. Your argument 01
3. Your argument 02
4. Statement supporting your argument 01
5. Statement supporting your argument 02

Example:

It is an undeniable truth that the issue of marijuana consumption is a political hot potato. The problem with the controversial subject of marijuana is its pivoting between being both a commonly used illicit drug and a legally prescribed medicine. In this paper, I will argue in favor of the legalisation of marijuana because of its recreational use and fiscal benefits. The effectiveness of the drug has been seen in patients suffering from “HIV/AIDS cachexia, nausea/vomiting related to chemotherapy, neuropathic pain, and spasticity in multiple sclerosis” (Wilkinson).  Moreover, legalization of the drug would prove to be salvation to the American Economy which suffered a $18.2 trillion dollar federal deficit last year. The revenue that could be generated from taxation alone would range from $2.4 billion to $6.4 per year (Miron and Waldock). Marijuana legalisation, therefore has two primary benefits: the ability to slow the progress of diseases like cancer as well as bring economic prosperity.  

Two lines of introduction. These are not needed but included here for the sake of completion.

Your thesis should figure here. Mention two reasons why you support your notion.
Reason 1 : Recreational use 
Reason 2: Fiscal benefits

A follow up sentence that backs your Reason 1. Cite it accordingly.

A follow up sentence that backs up your Reason 2. Cited accordingly again.

Strong concluding line that reinforces your stance on the issue.

Second Paragraph: Your opponent owns this paragraph. Typically, it should be the same length as your first paragraph to show the reader that you are unbiased and giving a fair chance to your opponent to present his argument . This paragraph consists of your counterarguments (select your two strongest counter arguments). They should be backed by properly cited data. The counter’s points should be defended with passion; it should have the same fervour as your main argument in the first paragraph.

Example:

In this paper, I will argue against the counter: the harmfulness of marijuana outweighs its effectiveness as a medicine and that the legalisation of the drug will lead to an increase in crime rates. Although it is considered to be a benign substance by the $158.8 million people who smoke it (United Nations), prohibitionists argue that the drug should remain illegal because of its strong gateway effect. This is the theory that the use of less injurious drugs can lead to the use of more threatening hard drugs or crime. In fact a statement made by the White House director of National Drug-control policy, Gil Kerlikowske, in 2013 revealed that “Eighty percent of the adult males arrested for crimes in Sacramento, Calif., last year tested positive for at least one illegal drug. Marijuana was the most commonly detected drug, found in 54 percent of those arrested.” Defenders of marijuana prohibition strengthen their counter argument by appealing to the fact that revenues generated from cannabis taxation are offset by government expenditure on law enforcement (due to increased crime rates).

Make your counter's position clear and evident.
Consists of your two strongest arguments:
1. Harmfulness of marijuana use outweighs its effectiveness (addiction)
2. Increase in crime rates = Disruption in society

Reason 1:
A sentence to back your reason. The gateway effect.

Reason 2:
Evidence in the form of a quote to support Reason 2. 
Correlation between marijuana use and crime rates.

Concluding statement to seal the counter's argument.

Tips for the Body:

The key to writing a good philosophy paper is carefully structuring your arguments. Keep your thoughts and ideas well organized. When you present your arguments, be sure to be fair to both sides by giving them the same length of time to make their points, and not interrupting the other’s argument.   

Triff likes: Coherence. Many papers lack this important feature. Make sure to check that your chain of thoughts flow well and consistently. Use transitional phrases to prevent the paper from appearing ‘broken’.

Triff likes: Relevance. Always read your drafts and revisions out loud. This will help you filter any information you feel is irrelevant. Constantly ask yourself “Is this information rightly placed?” “Does this support the point I am making?” Are my points well backed up by my sources?

Triff likes: To be captivated. Triff should not lose interest in your paper at any point. He need not dive too deep to understand the point you are trying to make. To help him swim on the surface with you, you need to make sure your sentences are short yet precise. You don’t want to bore Triff with stories either.

Triff likes: Originality. Whenever you are not citing sources, it is assumed that you are stating your thoughts or ideas (WARNING: You do not want to fill the entire paper with “I’s” to give it a pompous tone. Refrain from making this mistake. An occasional ‘I think’ or ‘I believe’ is acceptable.)

Triff dislikes: Papers in ‘German’

This annoys Triff a great deal. To write in German is to write wordy sentences like the one below for example:

In this paper, I will argue in favor of the prohibition of marijuana by reflecting on the various injurious health ramifications associated with the short and long term use of marijuana, including the possibility of getting addicted.

This is an absolute NO! The sentences should be broken down to maintain simplicity. Keep in mind that English is a very economical language and that sometimes “Less is more” (Triff).

Triff hates: Copy and Past (ANYTHING!)

Forget it. Try to paraphrase instead or write quotations (not excessively though, this has to be done in moderation). When it comes to your citations, don’t merely copy and paste someone else’s work as it reflects your laziness (this would also be plagiarism). The man has photographic memory. Trust me when I say it won’t work with Triff.    

Triff detests: Misplaced arguments

Consider the following example:

Marijuana legalisation defenders argue that smoking cigarettes, alcohol consumption and gambling are all harmful habits and are legal. Therefore marijuana which is also a harmful substance should be made legal. Such a conclusion that follows from the given premises, results in an invalid argument from a philosophical standpoint as it consists of a faulty analogy. This argument fails to acknowledge the fact that the dissimilarities between smoking cigarettes for instance and marijuana are significant.

 

You are not letting your opponent present his argument (which in this case is slightly flimsy). If you find yourself in the counter’s paragraph, you are lost. It is his territory - you do not belong there. Two grave mistakes a debater can make are:

1. Failing to listen to the counter’s argument

                                                         and to make matters worse

2. Rudely interrupting as he attempts to present his point

Avoid such mistakes.

Triff loathes: Circular arguments.

Pitiful, that’s what they are. You are only being weak when you make such fallacious statements.

Example: No matter how useful marijuana is as a medicine, it doesn’t change the fact that it is harmful.

If you look closely, you’ll discover that you have in fact not made a valid point.

Triff dislikes: Stories.

Example: Ezra was only three days old when he had his first seizure. Three months in, his seizures began to multiply, 300 to 500 a day. He has left in a catatonic state following the medicines pumped into his tiny body. He is now two years old, his seizures have reduced to 10 a day. He is now able to hold his head up, cry when he is hungry and show preferences for objects and colors. The decline from the dozen medicines he was to one and his mother credits a most unlikely drug: marijuana. Like Ezra, in cases where other conventional medications have failed, marijuana has proved to be the only effective drug.

Don’t bore Triff with such tales. You are not a story teller. You are writing a research paper that has to contain studies and scientific data to cement your arguments. You can use .edu and .org sites for your citations.