Getting Help
Q: I'm really stuck. Can I come to your for help as I write?
Yes! I encourage you to come to me as you write. Show me outlines or drafts as you go, and I will provide you with feedback. Students who come to see me as they are writing their papers tend to earn better grades than those who don't. This isn't because they get "extra credit" or "brownie points": they don't. Nor is it because I tell them "the answers", or spell out for them what I want them to say: I don't. It's simply because I am able to point out to them in advance the errors or gaps in their papers, and ask them questions that help them think about how they want to correct those errors or fill in those gaps.
Despite my urging, very few students come to office hours to get feedback from me as they work. This mystifies me. Wouldn't you (wisely!) rush in to see your math instructor if you weren't sure you understood how to do your assigned problem set? Why should it be different in a philosophy course? Writing philosophy papers is hard. For many of you, it is a new skill. Why shouldn't you expect that you will need some help in getting better at it?
Q: Where else can I go for help?
IWU has some excellent resources for you. I strongly recommend the Philosophy Writing Tutors. I have also heard excellent things about the IWU Writing Center. You don't even have to wait until you're stuck to go see any of these people for help; show them what you have and get their feedback on it. If you go get help from either of these other sources, please do let me know that you did so.