“[T]he Roman idea of personal and civic virtue was based on a sense of tradition, a myth of old Roman virtue and integrity….Roman power was built on efficiency, and strength through unity.” (19)
confusion virtue vs. political power
also talk about how roman gods and goddesses control situations.
Dido and Aeneas story.
Checklist:
• use of a relevant secondary source
• introduction and conclusion
• thesis taking a specific position
• logical organization explaining the thesis
• multilayered discussion of specific details (using both brief direct and indirect quotations)
• identifying tags and correct MLA citations
• Works Cited list
• double-spaced, paginated, stapled; 11- or 12-point font, Times or Calibri
• title indicating the central focus of your discussion.
General Outline
Introduction: Brief context for your question and a brief introduction of your primary text(s) (by brief, I mean no more than two sentences for each part); a focusing statement; and your thesis (basically, the answer to your question). Body paragraphs: A point-by-point consideration of your question, adding up clues from your sources. Conclusion: Bring your insights from the close reading together with your overall thesis. How does your analysis add to or complement the main point of the quote you’ve chosen to respond to?
Revising: Make sure that you customize your thesis. What kind of connections do you make between different points? Is there a clear reason for them to flow in a particular order? Does each paragraph begin with a topic sentence and end in your own words?
EN 201 / Fall 2013 / Essay 2 (4-5 pages; 18% of course grade)
Bring an outline+thesis statement or draft to class on Tuesday, Dec. 1
Revised essay due on paper or Blackboard by 6 pm on Friday, Dec. 4
Assignment: Write an essay that makes a coherent and interesting argument responding to one of the following general claims through your own close readings of 1-3 primary texts and relevant secondary sources.
All of these claims come from the editors’ notes in the Norton anthology:
1. “The Ramayana depicts a society of villages and small republics, in which dynasties of kings do not yet pursue imperial ambitions: their role here is to preserve the divine order of things, in both the mundane world and the cosmos at large, which is populated by human beings, animals, plants, and inanimate things as well as demons, celestial beings, and gods.” (1168)
2. “The Greeks believed that arguing, strife, and competition can be good, since they inspire us to outdo others and improve ourselves. The Romans, by contrast, saw conflict as deadly: it was what, in Roman mythology, led the founder of their city, Romulus, to kill his twin brother, Remus.” (19)
3. “[T]he Roman idea of personal and civic virtue was based on a sense of tradition, a myth of old Roman virtue and integrity….Roman power was built on efficiency, and strength through unity.” (19)
Checklist:
• analysis of at least 1 primary text that we’ve read since Oct. 6
• use of a relevant secondary source (ideally, one that you found in your library treasure hunt)
• introduction and conclusion
• thesis taking a specific position
• logical organization explaining the thesis
• multilayered discussion of specific details (using both brief direct and indirect quotations)
• identifying tags and correct MLA citations
• Works Cited list
• double-spaced, paginated, stapled; 11- or 12-point font, Times or Calibri
• title indicating the central focus of your discussion.
General Outline
Introduction: Brief context for your question and a brief introduction of your primary text(s) (by brief, I mean no more than two sentences for each part); a focusing statement; and your thesis (basically, the answer to your question). Body paragraphs: A point-by-point consideration of your question, adding up clues from your sources. Conclusion: Bring your insights from the close reading together with your overall thesis. How does your analysis add to or complement the main point of the quote you’ve chosen to respond to?
Revising: Make sure that you customize your thesis. What kind of connections do you make between different points? Is there a clear reason for them to flow in a particular order? Does each paragraph begin with a topic sentence and end in your own words?
