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First Essay Assignment

Due: By Tuesday, February 26, at 9:00 a.m.

 

“Contemplating Evil in South Bend”

To pass the time in sunny South Bend, I have organized a little book group to discuss the latest and greatest books. There are four people in our group. One member, Jesse, is not a particularly educated guy and he has seen his share of trouble. Still, Jesse’s a good-hearted young man who consistently tries to see the best in people.  In contrast, another member, Walt, is a genius; indeed, he was part of a team that won the Nobel Prize! But Walt has an inflated ego and has become cynical with age. I have to be on guard when Jesse and Walt get together. Although they have run a very lucrative business together, they have an on-again, off-again turbulent relationship.  Fortunately, I also have you to rely upon.  As someone who is smart, insightful, and uncannily diplomatic, you always know how to calm the room when Walt and Jesse come to blows.

Tonight, we are discussing two superb books, Roy Scranton’s War Porn and Francis Wade’s Myanmar’s Enemy Within.  The discussion seems to be going well. But, when we come to the topic below, I can see the tension rise between Jesse and Walt.

Jesse says:  “I found parts of these books surprisingly reassuring.  Both show that even in the worst cases, evil isn’t an inevitable consequence of the conditions one inherits from the past.  In the right circumstances, every human being is capable of acting honorably and decently.”

Walt replies indignantly:  “Jesse, you’re just as ignorant as when we first met! You ignore the fact that some people are just plain evil. They will do terrible things regardless of the circumstances.”

I can see where this exchange is going, and it will not end well.  Rather than risk alienating my two friends, I turn to you and ask: “Who do you think is right, Jesse or Walt? And please don’t waffle.  I want a firm and unequivocal answer, and I want it now!”


Who is right, Jesse or Walt?

 Assignment: Using only one of the two books above to support your argument, commit yourself firmly to either Jesse’s or Walt’s position.  There is ambiguity in both books about this question, so please feel free to use your imagination in making your case.

NOTE:  You are writing one paper, not two papers. Make sure you are answering this question and not some other question you would rather answer. Keep counterarguments in mind and address them directly. Use evidence from your readings.  Yet be concise and to the point.

When referring to your readings, feel free to use any simple citation form (e.g., author and page). It is fine to use short quotations, but indicate why you are using them. Quotations do not speak for themselves.

Finally, don’t forget the Shaker hymn: “ ‘tis a joy to be simple . . .”  State your argument boldly; justify it in a logical fashion; when you are done, stop.

The Honor Code to which you have affixed your signature applies! It is fine with me if you discuss this assignment with your classmates. However, do not ask them to read and critique the essay. Your essay and argument must be absolutely, completely, and unmistakably your own work.

This assignment is both straightforward and challenging. I strongly recommend that you begin it immediately. The sooner you begin, the easier it will be to write a coherent argument. My expectations are not unreasonable. I merely expect you to compose the three best pages of prose that you have ever written in your life.

Please observe all of the following rules without exception:

Your essay should be no more than 3 typed, double-spaced pages (12 point font) of careful reasoning. It should also have a carefully-chosen title.

Your essay should be in Word format (no PDF or any other mysterious format). Please use the following structure to name your document: [your name].firstessay.doc

Your essay is due by 9:00 a.m. next Tuesday, February 26. (Yes, you may send it in earlier.)

Please send your paper to me through the document file ( First Essay Assignment ) that I have created on Sakai.  I haven’t used this format before, so please let me know if you have any problems doing this.

 Good luck!

 

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