Mrs. Maldonado's English Class - Home



Argumentative Assignment – Writing prompt OPTIONS!!! Yes, you get to choose You are required to write a persuasive paper about Julius Caesar using one of the prompts below. A persuasive paper means you are going to argue something that is not present in the book – it is something that you are going to argue ABOUT the book.Below is a list of topics that you can choose from or you may choose to do one on your own provided you have it approved by me! According to the core curriculum, students should show an ability to write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence by doing the following: a. Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.b. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level and concerns. c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims. d. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing. e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. In addition your essay should be well organized (Intro, body, conclusion; thesis, claims, evidence, explanations; opposing claims, counterclaims, evidence, and explanations); present a sound logical argument (free of logical fallacies); fairly consider the oppositional argument; and utilize logos, ethos, and pathos to help make your essay convincing. You should incorporate specific evidence from the text in order to illustrate your points. Your essay should be NO MORE THAN 2-3 pages long. The essay should be typed in MLA format. Anything longer will not be accepted! The essay will be worth 200 points. 150 points will be awarded for effective usage of the argumentative writing techniques. And 50 points will be given for proper observation and employment of mechanical and grammatical conventions of the English language. Good Luck and Good Writing!Option #1: Writing situation:This is essentially an argument of definition: what is honorable and what is not? There is ample evidence in the text for either side of the argument; thus you will be expected to justify your stance with evidence from the play. Brutus: “Friends, Romans, Countrymen: Lend me your ears.”Writing directions:Argue that Brutus, from the play Julius Caesar, is an honorable man for taking actions he thought best for his country. ORCondemn Brutus as a dishonorable man for his role as a traitor against his country and friend. Option #2:Writing situation:In William Shakespeare’s famed tragedy, Julius Caesar, the title character says, “Men in general are quick to believe that which they wish to be true.” While this quote can be proven in many instances, the citizens of Rome in Caesar’s time were quick to follow the words of whoever gave the most effective public speech at the time. Think about the funeral speeches that were given after Julius Caesar’s assassination and the effect the speeches had on the Roman people.Writing directions:Argue who gave the most effective funeral speech: Mark Antony or Marcus Brutus. Support your choice by quoting evidence from the play of the speaker using ethos, pathos, and logos. Option #3Analyze the character Cassius. Is he putting together the assassination plot for the good of Rome, or is he acting out of envy of Caesar? (your thesis here will be something to the effect that Cassius puts together the assassination plot for…)Option #4How does rhetoric influence power in the play? Consider the characters and the role rhetoric played in their acquiring power over other characters, Rome, and/or the Roman citizens.Option #5Is Brutus right to join the conspiracy? Consider his reasons and whether they are truly valid or not.Option #6Argue Shakespeare’s attitude toward the common people as exemplified by his treatment of them in Act I, scenes 1 & 2 and in Act III, scenes 2 & 3. Consider how Shakespeare portrayed the Roman citizens based on the events of the play.Option #7Examine Shakespeare’s presentation of Antony. How does he appear initially? How does he grow in importance? How and why does he change? Is he likeable? Are his actions understandable or defendable?Option #8Does this play still work today by way of its moral lesson? Is it significant or meaningful in our decade? Why or why not?Option #9Argue the instances in which the action of the play relies on the successful use of flattery or rhetoric. Option #10Who would be considered the true tragic hero of the play? Brutus OR Julius Caesar? How is he noble? What are his flaws? What makes his tragic? ................
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