Have something to say.

You should know, and your reader should know, exactly what view(s) you are defending.


Get right to the point.


Don't waste space with lengthy and irrelevant introductory material.


Give reasons for your views.  

Don't be dogmatic. A philosophy paper should contain a philosophical argument.


Answer objections.


Ask yourself if there are any obvious objections to the positions you take or to the arguments you give. Try to respond to such objections.


Papers should be well organized.  

They should contain a clear line of argument and be easy to follow.


Avoid padding.


Make sure that every paragraph of your paper is doing a job that needs to be done.

Avoid unnecessary repetition.
 

Don't wander off topic.


Be sure that every sentence contributes something to the exact topic of the paper.


Rhetorical flourishes are unnecessary.
 
Clarity and cogency are much more important than eloquence in a philosophy paper.


Avoid technical jargon whenever possible.  

If you must use a technical term, be sure to explain exactly what you mean by it.


Have the courage of your convictions.


If you are inclined to take a line different from the one you have heard in class, don't hesitate. We are quite able to appreciate the value of an interesting and challenging argument that we happen to disagree with. Sometimes, we even change our minds. That's how philosophy works.