OXFORD TUTORIALS

GBT 1 Essay Guidelines

INDEX
Guide # 1
Guide # 2
Guide # 3
Guide # 4
Essay Format Requirements

ESSAY GUIDE #1 - Narrative Writing - Homer's Iliad

NARRATION

Narration is storytelling. It recounts actions and events, and can be fiction or non-fiction. A play-by-play commentator narrates the baseball game for his radio audience, a biographer narrates someone's life
story, and Homer narrates the story of Achilles' rage in The Iliad. Narration presents characters in action through description and dialogue.

ASSIGNMENT:

Condense Homer's narrative of the entire Iliad into your own 500-1000 word narrative. Remember, a narrative is not a summary or a book report. It does not tell about a story, it *is* the story. It should have a "Once upon a time..." feel to it, complete with dialogue, point of view, tone, and vivid description.

SOME ELEMENTS OF NARRATIVE WRITING TO INCLUDE:

* POINT OF VIEW - who the narrator (not to be confused with the author) is in connection with your narrative. Homer used the third person point of view, but you are encouraged to think creatively of how another point of view could present the story. Here are the five different possiblities:

* TONE - the author's attitude towards the main characters and the unfolding events. Does the author ( that's you!) view the characters impersonally, or with affection, sarcasm, humor, disdain, sympathy, or something else?

* DIALOGUE - use this to convey the thoughts and feelings of characters.

* DESCRIPTION- use your powers of observation to produce vicarious sensory experiences for your readers. In describing things, think of how they are perceived by each of your five senses - taste, touch, smell, sight, hearing. Be specific and detailed (instead of just "green", "emerald green" or "spinach green"), and try out some figurative language. Think of what that sight or smell might remind you of and make a simile or a metaphor out of it. Don't forget that description can be used to picture people and illuminate character for the reader.

Essay Format Requirements

1. Copy and paste all of your papers into email.  File attachments will not be accepted.  Send your  essay in an email to Dr. Lund at nlund@oxfordtutorials.com  In the "Subject" line of the email put your name, the class, and the number of the essay, as follows:

    To:                  Dr. Norm Lund
    Subject:        S. Wilson GBT1 Paper 3

2. Place a heading in the top corner of each essay, with your name, the class, the number of the essay, and the date, as follows:  

3. Put your title at the top of the paper, in the center of the page.  Every essay must have a title.  Here are some examples:

    a. The Iliad: A Narrative in My Own Words 
    b. The Greek Ideal in Homer's Odyssey
    c. Antigone: Right or Wrong?
    d. Aeschylus' Solution to the Cycle of Violence

4. The body of the paper should begin at the left margin and should be in block paragraph form. This means that you will not indent at the beginning of paragraphs, but will instead be sure to hit "enter" twice at the end of your paragraphs so that a line is skipped between paragraphs.  Each paragraph should have at least three sentences. 

5. The opening paragraph should state the main idea you wish to get across.  The middle paragraph(s) should give your arguments and/or evidence.  The conclusion should briefly summarize the point(s) which you have attempted to communicate.

6. Extensions on due dates will only be allowed for emergencies such as severe illnesses.  Otherwise, late papers will not be accepted.

Common errors on paper #1

    1) NARRATIVE STYLE: Presenting more of a summary than a story. That's a common problem with an assignment like this. Narrative writing is a challenge, especially when it involves an abbreviated re-telling of such a long epic.

    2) GRAMMAR: There are a number of grammatical mistakes which occur frequently in this essay:

a. TENSE-DISAGREEMENT: Many students are inconsistent in the tenses of their verbs, switching back and forth frequently between the present tense and the past tense. Verb tenses in an essay, both within the individual sentences, and throughout the essay as a whole, are supposed to agree. For example: "When Achilles heard the news [past tense], he went out and wept openly [past tense]." See if you can see the mistake in the following sentence: "When Achilles heard the news [past tense], he goes out and weeps openly [present tense]."

b. RUN-ON SENTENCES: Some students periodically ran sentences together, lacking proper punctuation and confusing the relationships among clauses. Learn to recognize main clauses and to distinguish them from subordinate clauses. A clause is a group of related words which contains both a verb and its subject. A main clause can stand alone. A subordinate clause cannot. Correct run-on sentences by one of the following methods, either by subordinating one of the main clauses, or by making each main clause into a separate sentence. For example, consider the following run-on sentence: "The Trojans take their offer to Menelaus and he does not accept, the war continues." This sentence can be corrected either by subordinating the first two clauses as follows: "When the Trojans took their offer to Menelaus and he refused to accept, the war continued;" or by separating the clauses as independent sentences, as follows: "The Trojans took their offer to Menelaus and he did not accept.

    c. SPELLING & TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS: Please check your spelling before sending in your essays.

    d. USE OF THE APOSTROPHE: Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding 's. Follow this rule whatever the final consonant. Thus write: Charles's friend; Hector's enemy; the captain's victory. An exception is usually made for the possessives of ancient proper names ending in -es or -is. For example: Jesus' name; Achilles' wrath; Peleus' son; the Achaeans' ships.

    e. PLOT IDENTIFICATION: Although we discuss many times the main plot of this great epic (i.e. Achilles' anger), some students fail even to mention it in their essays.  The main plot of the Iliad is the wrath of Achilles: its cause (the injustice and dishonor of his war-prize being taken away by his Agamemnon, his commander-in-chief); its cost (many of his companions' lives, including that of his dearest friend, Patroclus); and its cure (meeting a grief as great as his own and a bold humility which shocks him in the scene with Priam).

If you have problems in understanding what is expected of you in this assignment, or if you have suggestions for how this assignment could be improved, please contact Oxford Tutorials.

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ESSAY GUIDE #2 - Expository Writing - Homer's Odyssey

EXPOSITION

"Expository writing" or "exposition" is writing that explains.

Your first writing assignment focused on the Narrative Mode (storytelling).  In this assignment we will practice using the Expository Mode. Most writing done in the world today  -- in magazines, books, newspapers, on websites, and in owner's manuals, is expository writing. Expository writing does not sound like storytelling.
 

ASSIGNMENT

Based on Homer's portrayal of Odysseus in The Odyssey, explain the ancient Greek concept of what constituted a hero or an ideal man.  The length should be 300-500 words.  Include a comparison of what might constitute an ideal man according to Biblical standards. In what ways is the Greek ideal similar to the Christian ideal? In what ways is it different?

To do this paper you need to closely examine the character of Odysseus. He is constantly faced with challenges, struggles, and adversity. How does he respond? Explain by analysis -- breaking down his character into particulars and then for each particular give me at least one anecdotal illustration from the book.

Another very important aspect of your analysis comes in making connections with things you already know -- things from the Bible, from your life experience with people and human nature, or from your reading in other subject areas. You are welcome to engage your family and friends in discussion on this topic in order to broaden your own perspective. While they may not know about Odysseus, they'll probably have something to say about the Biblical ideal.  Bring all of these things to bear on your analysis of Odysseus and the similarities and differences between him and the Christian ideal.

ELEMENTS OF EXPOSITORY WRITING TO INCLUDE (use this as a checklist)

· Explain by ANALYSIS -- breaking down into particulars. Don't just tell me that Odysseus was good; name his particular virtues.

·  ILLUSTRATE.  For each particular, give me at least one anecdotal example form the book. In other words, if you think Odysseus was brave, tell me that, but then also tell me of at least one incident from the book that led you to that conclusion. TIP: this is one element of expository writing that is a great weakness among many students. Neglecting to illustrate makes for very weak and boring writing, so be sure to get in the habit of including it now.

·  Make connections with things you already know from the Bible, from life experience or from your reading in other subject areas.

·  Compare. Find the similarities between the Greek ideal and the Christian ideal.

·  Contrast. Find the differences between the Greek ideal and the Christian ideal.

PREWRITNG TIPS:

Expository writing needs to be organized so that your reader can easily follow your train of thought. Your basic structure should be:

I. Title
II. Introduction
III. Body
IV. Conclusion 

Your title and introduction should grab and focus the reader's attention on what your paper is all about. Your conclusion should "wrap up" your thinking and rephrase your main idea, not leaving the reader hanging.

In between your introduction and your conclusion, the body of your paper must be a step-by-step explanation of your thinking processes on the topic at hand.  "Step-by-step" indicates a high level of specifics and an avoidance of generalities. Don't tell us that Odysseus was good; tell us how he was good -- in what particular area of character -- and give us an anecdote from the story to prove it.

To help you collect your thoughts before you begin composing the body of your paper, I would suggest you use one of these three options:

1. OUTLINE - This is probably what most of you have been taught, and it is the most organized approach. However, there are other ways to get the job done with shorter papers or younger students. Read on if you're not yet confident in outlining.

2. LISTS - For this paper,  start with two lists: Greek Ideal and Christian Ideal. Under these two headings list descriptive, applicable words or phrases.  You might tag each with a "proof" - an illustration from the text. When your lists are done compare the two of them.

3. BUBBLES - An option for artists! Draw a small circle, big enough to hold a couple of words, in the middle of a piece of paper.   Write Odysseus in it. Now think of a character trait of Odysseus'. Let's pretend Odysseus was lazy. Draw a line about 1-2 inches out from the edge of the circle, kind of like a ray emanating from the sun or a spoke coming out of the hub of a wheel. Attach a new circle to the other end of it. Write "lazy" in the new circle. Now think of another trait of Odysseus'.  Let's say he was a cheat. Go back to the edge of your original "Odysseus" circle and draw another line out from the edge and inch or two, make a new circle and write "cheat" in it. After you have "bubbled" every one of Odysseus' traits, begin to think of what  sections in the story illustrated each trait. Go back to each trait bubble and draw a line out from it with a word or two reminding you of an illustration. When you are done with this, repeat the process on another sheet of paper, this time using "The Christian Ideal" as your central bubble.

If you have problems in understanding what is expected of you in this assignment, or if you have suggestions for how this assignment could be improved, please contact Oxford Tutorials.

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ESSAY GUIDE #3 - Persuasion - Sophocles' Creon v. Antigone

ASSIGNMENT:

Who is in the right: Antigone or Creon?

Write a 1-2 page essay (250-400 words) designed to persuade your audience to assent to your point of view on this question. You will need to pick an imaginary audience to address, and note above your paper who that audience is.

THE PERSUASIVE MODE OF WRITING

In PERSUASION, the goal is to get the audience to change its beliefs or will - to assent to you - and the means of attaining that goal is the stirring of the emotions combined with the use of logic. Persuasion is often called "sweet reason" because it takes cold, unfeeling reason and makes it sweet by appealing to the heartstrings of an audience.

Effective persuasion wields power and influence over people. Its pressure can cause us to change our minds and our wills in matters on which we have held strong opinions. Notice that truth is not necessarily a goal of persuasion. The unscrupulous often employ persuasion with no thought of truth, but only of selfish gain. A good understanding of the effective use of persuasion will attune you to reading and listening critically, eyes and ears ready to detect any manipulation of your emotions by the writer or
speaker.

SOME ELEMENTS OF PERSUASIVE WRITING TO INCLUDE:

* KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE - Tailor the presentation of your appeal to the background of your audience. While the point of your letter to the editor of your local paper might be the same as your point in the letter you wrote
to the Christian magazine, your presentation of that point will lack effectiveness if you don't consider the worldview of your audience.

*ESTABLISH COMMON GROUND WITH YOUR AUDIENCE - If you know that your sister favors Creon, and you want to persuade her that Antigone was in the right, start off with a conciliatory attitude by identifying common ground and points of agreement, perhaps even quoting points she has made in her arguments. Remember, until your audience begins to identify with you, they will not hear your point of view. Avoid offending your audience. Ravi Zacharias, a master of persuasive speech, often quotes an old Indian proverb, "Don't cut off a person's nose and then give him a rose to smell".

*ELIMINATE CONFLICT RIGHT AWAY - Anticipate all arguments and deactivate them. In doing this, keep in mind that you don't have to rely entirely on reason, but are free to play on emotions and prejudices. Appeals to authority are especially effective as a persuasive device. Think of what values your audience might hold dear and make reference to authorities who represent those values.

*USE OF FIGURITIVE SPEECH - metaphor, hyperbole, apostrophe, simile - all of these are devices that have strong emotional pull on an audience.

* END WITH AN INDISPUTABLE APPEAL - hopefully, you have won the assent of your audience.

If you have problems in understanding what is expected of you in this assignment, or if you have suggestions for how this assignment could be improved, please contact Oxford Tutorials.

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ESSAY GUIDE # 4 - Expository Writing - Aeschylus' Oresteia

ASSIGNMENT

In 300-500 words briefly summarize the Oresteia and then explain Aeschylus' solution to the cycle of revenge as put forward in the plays of the Oresteia.

FURTHER ELUCIDATION

You may want to reread Paper Guide #2 which introduced exposition as writing that explains. Please include the following elements of expository writing in your paper on Aeschylus' solution to the cycle of violence:

analysis - breaking down into particulars
illustration - anectdotal examples from the text
making connections with  knowledge outside of the text
contrast and comparison

TIPS TO MINIMIZE WRITING FRUSTRATION

1) You must sit down to write with the mindset that you will be doing more than one draft. Every student knows that good writers write and rewrite and that students are supposed to have a first draft and a second draft at a minimum, but in their secret heart of hearts, many students are hoping to avoid spending time on a second draft by writing near-perfectly the first time around.  Unfortunately, then when ideas pop into their head or sentences actually make it onto paper, none seems quite good enough and the student suddenly finds him/herself frustrated and empty-headed, wadding up paper and throwing it away in disgust or staring at a blank computer screen moaning that he/she doesn't know what to write about.

What if you sat down to write your paper with the expectation that what you write initially will be no where near perfect? You are free to be uninhibited in your expression! You can write every thought that comes into your head, without critiquing it . . . yet.  Your first sentence doesn't have to be the perfect introduction to the topic. You don't have to be worried about whether or not something "sounds stupid" yet. You can  try out a whimsical tone or a sarcastic tone or a serious tone. You don't have to worry about order yet. You don't even have to worry about grammar yet.  You just need to get down on paper every thought/idea that is remotely relevant to the assigned topic.  Write first, evaluate later. This is a way of sort of "priming the pump", getting the creative idea juices started.

By the way,  though for now some of you may be noticing mainly mistakes of grammar, punctuation, and diction when you edit, the more experience you gain in writing (and in responding to critique), the more you will automatically use correct grammar and mechanics the first time around.  Your editorial focus will increasingly become scrutinizing for clarity, for amibiguity that needs to be expunged, and for logical order of expression.

2) When analyzing a piece of imaginative literature,   answering the two questions below can be a useful springboard for generating ideas. You do not need to directly answer these questions in your paper, but if you spend some advance time thinking about how the questions apply, you will find yourself with a wealth of fodder for your paper. As you answer these questions, jot down your answers and let them connect in your mind with other knowledge. Don't neglect to draw on your understanding of  Biblical theology because as Christians we are to reason concerning all knowledge through the lens of God's revelation.

What are the universal truths about life and human nature that the author conveys?

How does this question apply to your discussion of Aeschylus' solution to the cycle of violence? First of all, define the cycle of violence.   Then draw on your outside-the-text knowledge in asking yourself whether the cycle of violence is a universal human experience -- something that can be observed in humanity around the globe and throughout history. Is it something that can be observed in only one level of society -- say, the nuclear family -- or is it prevelant at other levels -- the extended family, institutions like the church, religions, cities, nations?  Can you cite illustrations of the cycle of violence from history or other literature?

Now think about Aeschylus' solution to the cycle of violence. Is it effective?  Why or why not? What do you think of it in light of Biblical history or theology? Have similar solutions been used at any point in history or in any other cultures? Does 20th century America have a solution to the cycle of violence? How does it compare to Aeschylus'? On the back cover of your book, a blurb by Bernard Levin reads, "Moving from darkness to light, from rage to self-governance, from primitive ritual to civilized institution . . . ". What does this quote tell you about the impact that  "Aeschylus' solution" has on a society? Did this solution originate with and belong to Aeschylus, or do you know of it occurring at prior points in history, perhaps in a different culture? Whose idea was it anyway?

These are not all of the directions you could go in applying the question of universal truth and human nature to this particular assignment. I have merely tried to illustrate how you can use this question (which I would advise you to memorize and use for your lifetime) to begin to provoke your thinking on an assigned writing topic.  Remember, speaking to every issue I have brought up is not required for this paper.

What motivates each character to do what he does?

The application of this question to The Oresteia is probably quite obvious as the entire plot centers around actions that become motives for reactions.  But don't stop there -- be sure to dig deeper with this question, asking yourself what values the particular characters hold dear. What is their standard of right and wrong? What things do they view as duty? What do they mean by justice?

Aristotle said Law was, "the mind unaffected by impulse".  What character in The Oresteia embodies this idea, and how? This question does not need to be answered directly in your paper, but is given rather to further stimulate your thoughts.

If you have problems in understanding what is expected of you in this assignment, or if you have suggestions for how this assignment could be improved, please contact Oxford Tutorials.

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Essay Format Requirements

Formatting:

1. Copy and paste all of your papers into email.  File attachments will not be accepted.  Send your  essay in an email to Dr. Lund at nlund@oxfordtutorials.com  In the "Subject" line of the email put your name, the class, and the number of the essay, as follows:

    To:                Dr. Norm Lund
    Subject:        S. Wilson GBT1 Paper 3

2. Place a heading in the top corner of each essay, with your name, the class, the number of the essay, and the date, as follows:  

3. Put your title at the top of the paper, in the center of the page.  Every essay must have a title.  Here are some examples:

    a. The Iliad: A Narrative in My Own Words 
    b. The Greek Ideal in Homer's Odyssey
    c. Antigone: Right or Wrong?
    d. Aeschylus' Solution to the Cycle of Violence

4. The body of the paper should begin at the left margin and should be in block paragraph form. This means that you will not indent at the beginning of paragraphs, but will instead be sure to hit "enter" twice at the end of your paragraphs so that a line is skipped between paragraphs.  Each paragraph should have at least three sentences. 

5. The opening paragraph should state the main idea you wish to get across.  The middle paragraph(s) should give your arguments and/or evidence.  The conclusion should briefly summarize the point(s) which you have attempted to communicate.

6. Extensions on the due date will be given only for legitimate emergencies such as severe illnesses.  Otherwise, late papers will not be accepted.

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