PURPOSE:
Critical Thinking and Communication
• The purpose of this assignment is to enhance two aspects of critical thinking: analysis and
synthesis. The first is the close examination of parts of a whole; the second is creating something new out of its parts. Both are essential to problem-solving in all aspects of life, specifically determining the source of a problem and creating new solutions.
• Critical thinking also widens our perceptions. It enables us to view ourselves, others, and our world through a clearer lens—one that is free of prejudgments, false information, and fear of anything different from what we think we know.
• As established in previous assignments, it enhances our ability to “think outside the box” not only to solve difficult problems, but also to empathize with others, to appreciate different cultures, and to communicate all of this effectively. The ability to do all this is vital to adapting to an increasingly complex and challenging world.
Comprehending the concepts that are the essence of mythology. THE ASSIGNMENT
Your final essay requires you to pull together materials covered since the midterm: Beowulf, Grendel, Gawain and the Green Knight, and Ramayana. When referring to them the first time, include the translator or the author. Keep in mind that Grendel is a novel, not an epic, and Gawain is a legend as opposed to a myth. For the purposes of this assignment, we’ll overlook that because they do give us a glimpse into how various cultures attempted to make sense out of their world and their roles in it.
What you’ll need to do is to compare/contrast Ramayana with Beowulf/Grendel and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight on the basis of the following:
• Perceptions of good and evil
• Behavioral codes and value systems
• Definitions of a hero
• Relationships between mortals and their gods
• And what all of the above say about the culture from which they came. (Consider the 70’s
America as Grendel’s.)
Specifics
1.This essay should be the equivalent of about 10 double-spaced pages long in 12 point Times Roman and include MLA citations, including a Works Cited list at the end and parenthetical (in text) citations.
2. It should include enough evidence from the texts to support your claims* in the form of quotes, summaries, paraphrasing, or a combination of those methods.
*Support your claims means that a piece of evidence should not stand on its own, but only to
prove a point you’re making.
3. It should have an original, catchy title.
:
Recommended Steps
3. Review all materials since midterm, including discussions.
Note: Discussions on texts will not be available for posting or viewing after 4/25
4. Create some sort of outline or idea map for each of the concepts listed above.
5. Find evidence to support your claims. (If you plan to use a quote that’s more than 2-3
lines, summarize or paraphrase part of it.)
6. Determine the best way to organize your essay in a way that’s interesting and easy to
follow.
7. Write a rough draft.
8. Check your MLA citations, both parenthetical citations and your Works Cited list.
9. Revise, revise, and revise.
SOME ADVICE ON REVISING: The best way for me to revise a piece I’ve written is to listen to it without reading along. Using a new medium makes any errors, awkward phrasing, or organizational snafus more obvious to me than if I keep staring at the piece on a screen. Try it.
10. Proofread, spell check, get ready to present your essay with pride.
11. Post it BOTH as an attachment and as a message.
Grading
Maximum points=50.
Primarily, I’ll be evaluating your essay on how well it does the following:
• Reflects your comprehension of course readings and concepts
• Thoroughly addresses the topic as detailed in the prompt
• Is tightly focused and well organized
• Includes necessary supportive evidence from the text while keeping your voice dominant;
• Use of proper documentation
• Keeps your reader interested and engaged
• Reflects critical reading and thinking
• Includes an original title
• Is presented in a manner that reflects pride: specifically, that it’s been revised
sufficiently and has been both proofread and spell checked.
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