On how to Improve your essay and... your mark

The most common comments I made on your essays - and that I also sometimes receive on my own essays, are the following:

- "The structure and the goal of yor paper are not stated" "They are not obvious to the reader";
- "Explain this claim";
- "Inaccurate in reconstructing Mr X's view" "Be charitable!";
- "What do you mean here?" "I don't get it";
- "This is unclear, or confused, too hard to follow";
- "This is a technical term, be precise!";
- "Why? Give reasons!";
- "What's the relation between this claim and that claim?";
- "What is the conclusion?"; "Does your conclusion follow from the premisses?"
- "This is irrelevant" "Stick to the topic"
- "Give an example!"

Here is the hint:
If you anticipate these comments, you can prevent me to make them!
Thus, your essay will improve.

If your first essay has not received the mark you expected, don't be discouraged. Writing philosophy is not an easy task. But working seriously and constantly, your writing will improve for sure.