• Writing essays in epistemology (otherwise known as the "theory of knowledge") is never easy, especially for the beginner. Epistemology's highly dense and technical vocabulary normally mystifies younger college students.
  
  

Focus

• You should focus your paper very tightly on a very specific topic. Avoid titles such as "Aristotle's Theory of Knowledge," which is excessively broad. Instead, have a title such as "Aristotle's Epistemology According to Hegel."
  
  

Thesis

• Make sure your thesis statement is very focused and specialized, and is in the first few sentences of your paper. Set the stage early and forcefully..
  
  

Obvious

• Avoid the obvious objection. When dealing with Bentham's utilitarianism, for example, do not say things like "if utilitarianism were true, then anyone could do whatever they want so long as they perceived it as pleasurable." Clearly, Bentham did not advocate this. Be subtle.
  
  

Clichés

• Avoid clichés. Repeating slogans is a common undergraduate way to write a paper without understanding. If you mention Kant's "Thing in Itself," make sure you explain this in plain language, proving you understand the concept. Stating it is "unknowable" tells the professor nothing.
  
  

Sources

• The epistemology literature is massive. It is best to focus on a few well-known papers rather than trying to cite from many. Epistemology reading can be painful. Do yourself a favor and focus on a few authors in depth..
  
  

Argument

• Make sure your arguments flow naturally. Do not appear to be forcing a conclusion on the material. When arguing against Plato's forms, for example, ask questions like: "Is the form of "large," itself large? If so, then isn't the large form itself based on something more fundamental?" The idea here is that you are using the forms argument to destroy the forms argument rather than bringing in foreign material..
  
  

Continuity

• The best epistemology arguments revolve around showing how the conclusion does not proceed from the author's premise. Use the author himself to argue your point. In epistemology, the professor is likely worried about the understanding of the dense material, not in totally original argumentation. If arguing against Spinoza's idea of Substance for example, stress the unknowable nature of infinity. This shows you understand Spinoza before trying to undermine him.
  
  

Quoting

• Quote sparingly and only when absolutely necessary. Quotes do not explain themselves. Make sure you explain the quote you use in depth, and make sure to relate it to your thesis..
  
  

Flow

• Most of the time, going from the most abstract to the most concrete is an excellent way to structure a paper. Abstractions themselves mean nothing. When speaking of knowledge, go from the theory itself to actual concrete manifestations. Why is this abstract science important? This should always be a central question..
  
  

Density

• Usually, the jargon of the epistemological discipline confuses most beginning philosophy students. Do not follow this in your paper. Make certain you show that you understand the concepts such as "thing in itself," "Absolute Ego," "constructive negation" or "Dasein" rather than merely dropping the names..