Other Instructors' Paper Guideline Web Sites
Here are some web sites like this one that other instructors throughout the world have set up for their students. Peruse them, if you like, to get different perspectives on the task of philosophical writing.
Warning: Some of the standards that these other instructors lay out are completely at odds with my own. For instance, some of these sites mention a penalty for writing a final draft of paper that runs under target length for the assignment, whereas I impose no such penalties on a final draft. In a few other cases, even though there's nothing on my web site to the contrary, I strongly disagree with the advice you'll find there. (For instance, I disagree with James Pryor's advice that you should write as if your audience were stupid and mean.) Wherever others' requirements diverge from mine, or you're not sure how seriously to take another instructor's advice, please ask me.
[The first two—Pryor's and Cruz's—are the real standouts. I strongly recommend them.]
James Pryor's " Guidelines on Writing Philosophy Papers".
A terrific guide. It is also the one that most closely approximates my own views about paper writing.
Joe Cruz's " Writing Papers for Introductory Moral Philosophy Courses"
An interesting site, with sound advice. Essentially a guided tour through the construction and revision of an example intro philosophy papers philosophy, with lots of commentary.
Peter Lipton's "Writing Philosophy"
Not really a nuts and bolts how-to page, but a fine source of general inspiration and advice. Linked to an archived copy on this website.
Doug Portmore's "Tips on Writing a Philosophy Paper"
Also good.
Martin Young's "How to get Better Grades on your Philosophy Papers"
Also also good.