Key Components of a Philosophy Statement

Name__________________________

Things to consider in constructing a personal philosophy.

COMPONENTS

[ ] Two pages, double spaced at 11 or 12 pitch Times Roman, plus attachments

[ ] Four paragraphs containing

[ ] Introduction (introducing a theme)

[ ] ontology (may also talk about the nature of man here)

[ ] epistemology (may also talk about the nature of man here)

[ ] axiology (include both ethics & aesthetics)

[ ] One healthy, concluding paragraph that recapitulates the theme in relation to your personal passion for education.

ALSO CONSIDER

[ ]Internal line of argument; one idea at a time; a connecting theme throughout; tight; avoid excess verbiage. Use metaphor and abstraction where possible.

[ ]Fresh insights; feels like a truly personal expression. Should sound like you.

[ ]Endnotes contain a rich array of supporting references and personal comments which shows serious thought and scholarship.

[ ]Factual; free from errors

[ ]Reader-friendly and clearly written; neat; accurate grammar and punctuation. Avoids long, rambling sentences

[ ]Other

Personal Philosophy Statement

Teacher name: Dr. Burton
Student Name ___________________

CATEGORY	4

Target	3

Acceptable	2

Needs Improvement
1

Unacceptable
Length	Same as Acceptable	Statement is limited to two pages, double-
spaced, with 1-inch margins, and an 11- or 12-point basic font.	One or two guidelines are not followed	Guidelines for statement length are not followed.
Introduction

Introductory paragraph sets the stage for the rest of the statement and summarizes the major concepts to be presented. Uses a theme or metaphor to organize the essay.	Introductory paragraph sets the stage for the rest of the statement and summarizes the major concepts to be presented.	Focuses on one aspect of the task.	Not focused on topic or task. Does not demonstrate rudimentary understanding
Ontology	Ontological beliefs integrated into a coherent whole. Synthesizes the major concepts involved (the gaps are gone).	Able to identify several ontological beliefs, but not integrate them all. Understands most of the major concepts involved	Focuses on one aspect of ontology.	The paragraph is not focused on ontology. Does not demonstrate rudimentary understanding
Epistemology	Epistemological beliefs integrated into a coherent whole. Synthesizes the major concepts involved (the gaps are gone).	Able to identify several epistemological beliefs, but not integrate them all. Understands most of the major concepts involved	Focuses on one aspect of epistemology.	The paragraph is not focused on epistemology. Does not demonstrate rudimentary understanding

Axiology	Axiological beliefs integrated into a coherent whole. Synthesizes the major concepts involved (the gaps are gone).	Able to identify several axiological beliefs, but not integrate them all. Understands most of the major concepts involved	Focuses on one aspect of axiology.	The paragraph is not focused on axiology. Does not demonstrate rudimentary understanding
Conclusion	Conclusion paragraph wraps up the statement and synthesizes the major ideas that were presented.	Conclusion paragraph wraps up the statement. The paragraph synthesizes two of the three areas that were presented.	Conclusion focuses on one area of the philosophy statement	The conclusion does not conclude the statement. Does not demonstrate rudimentary understanding
Logic/Flow	The piece is very well organized. One idea or argument follows another in a logical sequence with clear transitions.	The piece is pretty well organized. One idea or argument may seem out of place. Clear transitions are used.	The piece is a little hard to follow. The transitions are sometimes not clear.	Ideas and arguments seem to be randomly arranged.
Personal Voice	The statement sounds like a personal expression of the individual. The author's voice is evident. Fresh insights are presented.	The statement sounds like a personal expression of the individual. The author's voice is evident.	The statement sounds like a personal expression of the individual, but the author does not maintain a clear or consistent voice.	There are no fresh insights in the statement. No consistent voice emerges from the author.
Factual/Free from Errors	There are no factual errors in the final draft.	There is one factual error in the final draft.	There are 2-3 factual errors in the final draft.	The final draft has more than 3 factual errors.
Clearly Written	The statement is written in a reader-
friendly manner that models clarity of expression. Uses short declarative sentences.	The statement is written in a reader-
friendly manner. One or two sentences lack clarity of expression. Uses short declarative sentences.	Several sentences in the statement lack clarity of expression.

Expression of some ideas is confusing to the reader. Uses long, rambling sentences.	The statement does not promote reader understanding and/or is unclear in language use and expression. Uses long, rambling or run-
on sentences.
Language Conventions	There are no spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors in the final draft.	There is one spelling, grammar, or punctuation error in the final draft.	There are 2-3 spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors in the final draft.	The final draft has more than 3 spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors.
Date Created: 2003-07-08
Copyright. © 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 ALTec, the University of Kansas