Teaching Theory of Knowledge

Micro-Essays

CONTRIBUTOR: William Morris.

      While some of the students at the University of Cincinnati would be academic successes anywhere, the average student has a tough time, parlicularly with philosophy courses. They are often bewildered by the abstract nature of philosophy, by the critical abilities which philosophy requires (which they know they don't have), and by the nebulous instructions they usually receive about philosophy course requirements ("write three short critical papers," "do a term paper to be handed in at the end of the term," etc.).

      One of the devices I use in my courses to teach students how to do philosophy is the "Micro-Essay." I assign five micro-essays during the quarter, for a total of 50% of the course grade. When I return micro-essays, I always do one myself. The following directions are given to the students:

  1. A micro-essay is a summary of a reading assignment. It should contain both the main points or conclusions of the reading and the main features of the author's arguments for those conclusions. In philosophy, one of our primary interests is in evaluating arguments. A well-constructed micro-essay shows that you've done the necessary preliminary work for such an evaluation: it shows that you've understood the structure of the author's central arguments, that you've internalized that structure and are able to express it in your own words.
  2. Micro-essays are also exercises in clarity and economy of expression. They should be written on one 8x5 index card. Typing is encouraged, but it is not required. Handwritten micro-essays must be legible or they will not be accepted.
  3. Each micro-essay summarizes one reading assignment, the assignment indicated on the syllabus to be discussed on the day that the micro-essay is due. Each micro-essay is to be handed in at the beginning of class on the appropriate day. Essays may be handed in early, but late micro-essays will not be accepted. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
  4. Micro-essays will be evaluated both as summaries of the assigned reading and as pieces of English composition. As summaries, they will be evaluated for conciseness, accuracy, precision, completeness, and perceptiveness in capturing the main points and the structure of the assigned reading. As compositions, they will be evaluated for legibility, organization, clarity, spelling, and grammar.

      Hints. Micro-essays should reflect what you have understood in the reading, and how well you can communicate what you've understood in writing. As an aid to your reading, keep the following questions in mind; they will help you later when you try to summarize what you've just read. (These suggestions, however, are not intended as an "outline" to be followed when you compose your micro-essay.)

  1. What issue or issues is being discussed in the reading? What is the author trying to establish? In short, why did s/he write this?
  2. What conclusions does the author draw about the issues or problems s/he is writing about?
  3. What arguments does s/he present for those conclusions?
  4. What are the main points of these arguments?
Then:
  1. Outline your essay. Write a draft. Make sure that you've included all the relevant points. Then try to compress it to the required length.
  2. Omit needless verbiage. Clear out all unnecessary underbrush.
  3. Revise your work. One revision is a must; frequently more than one will be necessary. Improve phrasing, eliminate anything unnecessary, clarify.