Unless you are writing an open-ended philosophical essay, there will be a prompt that you will respond to in your paper. The type of prompt given for writers of a philosophical essay determines much of its structure. Philosophical writing prompts typically fall into one of two broad categories: reconstruction of an idea or consideration and defense of an argument. In a reconstruction paper, the central thesis of the philosophical essay will paraphrase a viewpoint or argument, such as the meaning of Plato's cave metaphor. In a paper that considers and defends an argument, the writer will choose a side in a given issue -- such as the ethics of euthanasia -- and defend that choice in the body of the paper.
A good philosophy paper needs an introduction, which is usually a paragraph between 8 and 12 sentences long that ends with the writer's thesis statement. In essays that reconstruct a philosopher's preexisting argument, the introduction might involve a brief critical analysis or close reading of a relevant passage from the work or philosopher in question. For essays that argue one side of a debate and defend their arguments, the introduction is a good place to define the terms of the essay. For example, in an essay about the ethics of euthanasia, the definition of euthanasia should appear in the introduction. The last sentence or two of the introduction in any kind of philosophical essay must comprise the thesis statement, in which the writer states their position or central point and briefly lists supporting reasons that will be further explained in the body of the essay.
In the body paragraphs of a philosophical essay, the writer makes his or her argument and explains why that argument is sound or better than an alternative point of view. Logic, one of the tools of philosophical thought and explanation, is an important consideration when organizing the body paragraphs of a philosophical essay. Each paragraph should address a reason and explanation why the essay's main argument is true or better. The writer's supporting points and ideas cannot simply be stated in a philosophical essay -- they must be supported by sub-arguments. The main paragraphs of a philosophical essay must accomplish three tasks. First, they must show how the validity of the writer's sub-arguments proves the truth of the central argument. Second, they need to use facts to support the truth of sub-arguments. Finally, the body paragraphs must consider other points of view, called counter-arguments. The writer needs to consider and respond to possible objections to their essay's central thesis.
In middle and high school writing, students are often taught to rephrase their introduction in their essays' concluding paragraphs. However, this is not a good strategy to use when writing a philosophical essay. The conclusion of a philosophical paper can accomplish one of three different tasks. The writer can consider counter-arguments that may be raised as an objection to his or her central thesis, but for which he or she does not have the expertise or time to make an appropriate response. The writer might also contextualize the philosophical essay by imagining and articulating the big-picture consequences of accepting or rejecting the essay's central thesis. Finally, the conclusion is a place where the writer can explore ways in which the essay's topic can be further developed.