Sponsored by the Department of Philosophy

The Department of Philosophy's Essay Tutor offers essay tutoring for philosophy essays. Philosophy graduate student tutors will read first drafts and give advice about how to strengthen the argument(s) of essays, offer suggestions for improving organization, and point out weaknesses and places where more detail or clarity is needed.

The Philosophy Essay tutor cannot provide philosophical advice or provide judgments about the material students are writing about. For this sort of help, students must see their Professor and/or Teaching Assistant. The Essay Clinic is strictly for help with strengthening the structure and general argumentation in philosophy essays.

Students in Philosophy 110, 120, and 133 are strongly encouraged to make use of this service. Students in any philosophy class are welcome.

Who is this for?
Any University of Saskatchewan undergraduate student writing a philosophy or other argumentative essay.

Who provides this help?
Graduate students in philosophy.


What help can I get with essays?
Graduate student tutors will give advice about how to organize your essay and will read your first draft and offer suggestions for improving it, pointing out weaknesses and places where more detail or clarity is needed.

The graduate student tutors may also give some advice about the content of your essay, but they are not going to write your essay for you and will expect you to go to your professor if your are having difficulty understanding the material in the course or the articles or books relevant to the essay topic you are working on.


What do I have to do?
It is best if you have written a complete first draft of your essay, after having done the reading and research on the essay topic; since tutors can then give you more specific advice about the organization and presentation, and point out weaknesses or arguments needing more detailed or clearer presentation. Bring a copy of the assigned essay topics with you to your appointment.

If you do not have a full draft ready, you will need to have at least some of your ideas written out before seeing a tutor.


Where else can I get essay help?
The University Help Centre (first floor of the Main Library) offers one-on-one help and seminars in essay writing.