Drafting Guidelines Introduction should: Begin in a meaningful (non-generalized way) avoid generalizations like “The Iliad is one of the greatest…” Provide necessary and relevant context Introduce purpose of the essay (to include…) Define key terms (e.g. agency, external “forces,” etc.) Introduce task (accounting for action in a passage) Introduce the text and the passage (necessary and relevant context) Be aware of your audience (no plot summary) End with a Clear, Specific and Arguable Thesis

Introduction Reminders Give enough context to demonstrate you understand the needs of your readers (audience). Our audience knows the text, and will not need a plot summary, but they might need context in the form of: an introduction to the themes in the Iliad we are focusing on, key terms you will be using throughout the essay, definitions (agency, for example), and relevant details to introduce and set up the passage you will be writing about. Every sentence should build on each other and add meaning Your goal is to begin with an introduction to your essay’s general purpose and build to the more specific and arguable articulation of that purpose (thesis) It’s your opportunity to capture your readers’ attention, set up a compelling purpose for writing the essay, and set the stage for a meaningful analysis.

Essay 1 Task The Scope and Quality of Human Agency: Our essay task is to perform a literary analysis of how characters wrestle with the causes and consequences of their own action. Then you will write and defend a thesis that asserts HOW the passage defines the scope and quality of human agency (given what accounts for that action). Remember in class that we discussed “quality and scope” of agency as a kind of power struggle or tension or conflict between external, influencing factors compelling action and the individual will or deliberative process accounting for action. You will choose ONE of the below two options. 1) Book 6 lines 476-630 (Hector, Adromache, son) 2) Book 16 lines 914-1009 (Patroclus and Hector) As a reminder, use the moral/philosophical definition for human agency (see class slides for thorough defining characteristics) An individual with agency acts self-consciously, guided by reason, consideration, reflection (even while under constraints like impulse ,instinct, duty or some factor of determination).

5 thesis reminders See Thesis Building Guidelines See “Assignments” Preliminary Thesis or Revised Thesis and 1 Body Paragraph.

Thesis Reminders Your thesis should focus on the characters and action in the selected passage and not make a generalized claim about humans and gods in the Iliad You are also not supposed to argue about whether or not the characters in the poem or passage have agency

Drafting Guidelines Supporting paragraphs have single purpose or point of focus Read the Writer’s Handbook Chapters for more guidelines A Claim functions as a mini-thesis Follow Claim/Evidence Warrant structure in paragraphs Write transitions to connect ideas within paragraphs and between paragraphs Make sure your paragraph is cohesive (single purpose expressed by claim). Check: Read your paragraph and write the topic/theme of paragraph in the margin. If by the end of the paragraph there is more than one topic/theme, then break paragraph into two.

Drafting Guidelines Tip: Outline/Reverse Outline: Write thesis followed by list of claims and then evaluate (is there a missing idea, does an idea repeat itself, do the ideas flow logically from beginning to end, does my argument change from beginning to end). Use this to make improvements to your claims. Also, You may write yourself into an argument by the end of the drafting process, so be sure to check to see if the argument you present in your conclusion matches up with the thesis presented in the introduction. If you do find that your argument is better developed and specific by end of draft, use your good work to make improvements to your thesis asserted in the introduction.

Drafting Guidelines Transitions connect main theme or idea from one paragraph to the next or between sentences See Writer’s Handbook chapter on “Transitions” Transitions guide the reader and help the reader follow how your ideas flow, and ideally they should flow logically from one claim or conclusion or idea to the next.

Drafting Guidelines Conclusion brings essay to a close Try not to simply summarize your entire essay in your conclusion. Wrap up your essay through a combination of recapping and extension. “Bookending” is a strategy for recalling a theme or idea from the introduction and then extending or developing it in the conclusion. You might paraphrase your thesis and strongest argument and then end your essay by applying your main point to some contemporary issue/point/connection. This brings the essay to a close and leaves the reader thinking without offering a new argument. Don’t offer a new argument or go off topic in your supporting paragraphs or in your conclusion.