This document provides information and guidance for students on their upcoming Essay #5 assignment. It outlines important due dates for drafts and the final essay. Students will write a 4-6 page essay examining an intersection between philosophies discussed in class and themes from Game of Thrones, choosing from provided prompts or their own topic. The document offers writing strategies for developing an argument, using evidence to support a thesis, and addressing multiple perspectives respectfully. It encourages outlining and prewriting activities to prepare for the essay.

1. EWRT 2

2. Dates to Remember
Introduce Essay #5
Discussion: A Game of Thrones
and Philosophy: Choosing your
prompt.
A Writing Strategy: The Basic
Argument

3.  Thursday, Dec 6: No Class
 Today, Nov 29:  Meetings by appointment in my
 Introduce Essay #5 office.
 Self-Assessment due (midnight)
 Tuesday, Dec. 4:
 Friday, Dec 7
 Make-up Exam
 Revised Essay due (midnight)
 Self Assessment
 Thursday, Dec 13: 9:15-11:15
 Essay #5 due (paper or electronic)
 Game of Thrones Episode

4.  4-6 pages (not including the works cited
page)
 At least four credible sources
 MLA format
 Due: During class: paper or electronic form
 The topic includes an intersection between
one or more of the philosophies we read and
A Game of Thrones. You may choose a topic
from the list I am passing out, or you may
use one of your own.

7.  Takea position for or against a certain
perspective, opinion, stance, or philosophy.
 You will employ rhetorical strategies as well
as stylistic devices to persuade your audience
that your argument is reasoned, responsible,
and persuasive.

8.  Defend/Challenge/Qualify: Describe the
characteristics or the qualities of something
or someone. Touch upon the relevance of
both sides of the claim/argument. Qualify
your argument by acknowledging exceptions
or other perspectives.
 Answer based on evidence developed from
observation, experience and/or reading
 When answering, consider the “road less
traveled.” Come up with examples that are
unusual or unique.

9.  Defineor explain the assertion/claim being
offered. Or, explain the essence of the
argument.
 Beaware of any prejudicial attitudes,
sentiments, or stereotypes you may have.
(Touch upon ALL possible perspectives you can)
 Produce a clear, arguable thesis statement that
asserts your opinion.

10.  As long as you are addressing the prompt and
appropriately supporting your position, there
is no danger of your losing points on your
essay. Your essay is graded for process,
mastery, and manipulation of language, not
for how close you come to the viewpoint of
your reader.

11.  Use evidence to support your position:
 be specific and accurate—named and factually
correct
 avoid using movies and other more informal aspects
of society as evidence (pop culture)
 Stay away from blogging sites, Wikipedia, and other
sites that lack authority or credibility.
 reflect a well-educated, widely-read, mature
individual's thoughtful reaction
 be unified, specific, accurate, adequate, relevant,
and representative- Do not use an INFORMAL VOICE
 avoid evidence that everybody will cite (To avoid
this, reject first thoughts and keep digging until you
find ideas that are complex and interesting.)

12.  Here is a brief overview of the kinds of
support/evidence you could include to bolster your
argument:
— facts/statistics
— details
— quotations
— dialogue
— definitions
— recognition of the opposition
— examples
— anecdotes
— contrast and comparison
— cause and effect
— appeal to authority

13. 1. Begin by writing a meaningful opening
sentence or two which makes a personal
observation about the focus of the question
that reveals your thinking. Do not write
flowery, general beginnings. Get right to the
point. Use the first sentence or two to begin
to define the meaning of the assertion. If you
need to provide directed summary to provide
context for your essay, do so here.

14. 2. Qualify your stance if there is a common or strong
argument for a different perspective. Try an “although”
thesis (Example: “Although grass is green, it can also be
other colors.” Then your first page will be about green
grass. Acknowledge that you are familiar with this
stance; In the next pages, you will discuss/argue for
the existence of the other colors. Then will come your
counterargument (rebuttal or concession) and then the
conclusion. Be careful not to contradict yourself.

15.  If the prompt requires an agree or disagree stance, be sure
to demonstrate an understanding of argumentation by
acknowledging both sides of the argument. This is
usually done by writing a con-pro paragraph immediately
after the introduction and the remainder of the essay
becomes different paragraphs which confirm or amplify
your agreement or disagreement with the assertion.

16.  Ifthe question requires a defend, challenge, or
qualify stance on a political or philosophical
assertion, be sure to address all the issues
raised by the claim/assertion. Your evidence
would be specifically named examples that
support the claim you make in your topic
sentence. Examples from multiple sources that
support the same conclusion make your claim
more valid. Each paragraph then would end
with an interpretation of the similar conclusion
that can be reached after examining differing
types of evidence.

17.  Agree or disagree with an assertion naturally by
explaining your stance. Avoid saying “I feel this
statement/idea/philosophy is correct.” Instead
state your belief: "Change can be big or small,
personal or public, but if a person is not
confident enough or is worried about what
others think, changes will never happen."
 Avoid “I believe” statements. (They also
come in the form of “I think” or “I feel” as
well.)

18.  Post #35 Prewriting/Brainstorming for Essay #5
 Post #36 Essay #5 Outline and Thesis
 Begin Research for essay support
 Study for Vocabulary Make-up Exam
Bring your essay
notes or your writing
device to class. We
will spend some time
writing in our next
class.