Philthy Writing

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The purpose of this page is to assist you in writing like a Philosopher or Theologian would.

Writing Frames: 20-Mark Questions

Introduction

  • DAD:
    • "D" stands for "define" - detail the meaning of the key terms in the question.
    • "A" stands for "abstract" - summarise the main points you will explore in your response.
    • "D" stands for "destination" - preview which side of the debate you are likely to support.

Analytical Paragraphs

  • PEEL:
    • "P" stands for "point" - introduce the point that is to discussed in the paragraph.
    • "E" stands for "evidence" - quote an ethicist, philosopher of religion/theologian, or scholar of Buddhism/Buddhist belief, practice, or scripture
    • "E" stands for "explanation" - outline the details.
    • "L" stands for "link" - relate the discussion above back to the question.

Conclusion

  • DR:
    • "D" stands for "destination" - state what your conclusion is.
    • "R" stands for "reasoning" - give the main reasons that justify your conclusion.

Writing Frames: 30-Mark Questions

Introduction

  • DAD:
    • "D" stands for "define" - detail the meaning of the key terms in the question.
    • "A" stands for "abstract" - summarise the main points you will explore in your response.
    • "D" stands for "destination" - preview which side of the debate you are likely to support.

Evaluative Paragraphs

  • PARCEL:
    • "P" stands for "point" - introduce the point that is to be discussed in the paragraph.
    • "A" stands for "authority/advocate" - quote an ethicist, philosopher of religion/theologian, or scholar of Buddhism/Buddhist belief, practice or scripture.
    • "R" stands for "reasoning" - explain the reasons why some might consider the point to be a strong argument.
    • "C" stands for "counter" - explain the reasons why another person might question the point and its reasoning.
    • "E" stands for "evaluate" - identify which side’s arguments has the greater value and why.
    • "L" stands for "link" - relate the discussion above back to the question.

Conclusion

    • "D" stands for "destination" - state what your conclusion is.
    • "R" stands for "reasoning" - give the main reasons that justify your conclusion; relate back to the judgements reached along the way in the evaluative paragraphs.
    • "S" stands for "strengths" - explain why your point of view and reasoning is the more persuasive.

Evaluative Criteria

Questions to Consider

The criteria below are designed to assist you in judging whether a particular argument is strong or weak. You should refer to these in a 30-mark question.

  • Is the focus on ideas rather than the person that supports them?
  • Is it influential / impactful on the lives of others?
  • Is it relevant to the debate?
  • Does it fit with other beliefs?
  • Is there a sufficient range of evidence to support it?
  • Can it be contradicted easily?
  • Can it be achieved?
  • Is it supported by sources of authority?
  • Is there any evidence to support it?
  • Is it probable, possible, or likely?
  • Is it popular?
  • How representative are its supporters?
  • Has other evidence been ignored?
  • Is it logical?
  • Is the view being attacked misrepresented?

Evaluative Phrases

Sentence Starters

Use the following to signal to the examiner that you are meeting the expectations of Assessment Objective 2.

  • “This is a strong argument because...”
  • “This is a weak argument because…”
  • “This claim can be effectively countered by…”
  • “This claim can be countered, but rather poorly, by…”
  • “This point stands up to scrutiny as…”
  • “This point fails to stand up to scrutiny as…”
  • “The underlying assumption behind this reason is a convincing one…”
  • “The underlying assumption behind this reason is doubtful…”
  • “The two assertions are equally balanced…”
  • “It is difficult to choose between the evidence here…”

Useful Conjunctions

Addition

  • Again; also; and; another; as well as; furthermore; in addition; moreover; too; what is more.

Cause & Effect

  • As a consequence; as a result; as long as; because; consequently; depending upon; inevitably; since; therefore; whenever.

Comparison

  • By the same token; comparatively; congruently; correspondingly; equally; equivalently; in the same way; just as; likewise; similarly.

Concession

  • Admittedly; despite this; in any case; in spite of; nevertheless; notwithstanding; on the other hand; regardless; still; while it is true that.

Contrast

  • Alternatively; although; despite this; however; in contrast; on the contrary; on the other hand; otherwise; whereas; yet.

Emphasis

  • Above all; especially; in fact; in particular; indeed; more important(ly); notably; significantly; specifically; undoubtedly.

Illustration

  • Essentially; for example; for instance; in actual fact; it became clear that; such as; this means that; this shows that; thus; to illustrate.

Summary & Conclusion

  • After all; finally; in conclusion; in short; in the end; on the whole; overall; throughout; to summarise; ultimately.

Punctuation

Colon

  • Appearance: ":"
  • Use: a colon is used to list, join two clauses when the second cannot stand alone, and before a quotation or direct speech.
  • Examples:
    • You will need: a calculator, ruler and pen.
    • I knew what to do: admit I had no book.
    • Sir said: “Mark is a very able statistician.”

Semi-Colon

  • Appearance: ";"
  • Use: a semi-colon is used in between two equal clauses, which are closely related but could stand alone.
  • Examples:
    • Lizzie went to town; I stayed at home.
    • Terry hates spiders; he finds them creepy.
    • I love dogs; however, I dislike their smell.

Key Terms

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