Best Guides for Writing a Philosophy Paper

Writing a philosophy paper and don't know how to start? We have compiled the top guides from across the internet to help you write a top notch philosophy paper.

8/18/20252 min read

1. Top Pick Overall: Harvard Writing Center

The Harvard writing center has put together a good reference guide to writing a philosophy paper which gives clear examples of good and bad philosophy writing, gives tips on structure and gives you some good phrases which might fit in another discipline, but have a particular meaning in philosophy.

2. Best Video Explanation: Carneades.org

Carneades.org has a free course on philosophical methods that includes a great primer on writing a philosophy paper. It also includes a bunch of useful vocabulary for any philosophy paper, and an explanation of some key distinctions, definitions, and argument styles in philosophy. If you just want the paper info, there is also a playlist that just covers that information too. If you only have time for one video, check out the video below on the basic structure of a philosophy paper.

3. Good For Outlining Arguments: UNC Writing Center

The University of North Carolina's writing center has a great resource for crafting a philosophy paper, particularly when it comes to what is the bulk of most philosophy papers: outlining the arguments to be presented. They also do a solid job of explaining how to write objections to an argument and how to incorporate thought experiments into your paper.

4. Best Process Walkthough: Jim Pryor

Philosophy professor, Jim Pryor has a useful guide to writing a philosophy paper. We like this one because it does a good job of not just walking through what the final product should look like, but also the process of how you get there. It isn't the most visually interesting post, but it has some good examples and non-examples of what to do and what not to do.

5. Most Fun Guide for Beginners: The Pink Guide

The Pink Guide to Philosophy has a very fun and easily accessible guide to reading writing, and understanding philosophy. This is geared for complete beginners, but it can help clear up some misconceptions about what philosophy is, how philosophers think and talk, and what you can do to succeed at your first philosophy paper. Plus they have cute mascots, Professor F. Lee Pink and Professor Philosa Flea!