Laius and Jocasta Paragraph Assignment
Overview
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The purpose of this assignment is to get students to realize the connection between effective brainstorming and effective writing. By the time they've finished brainstorming answers to specific questions, students will essentially have written the vast majority of a CCDWCDWC paragraph.
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Stage One
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Without telling students they're going to be writing a paragraph, ask students to answer the question below. Stress the following factors:
The Question: Was the decision of Laius and Jocasta to abandon their baby an impious one made in defiance of the fate that the gods had in store for them, or was it a pious decision made in order to avoid a greater set of crimes from happening? Procedure
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Stage Two: Back and Forth Q and A
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The Procedure
When students begin to slow down or stop, ask the following question and tell them they can add it in or add it as a list item. Stress that it doesn't matter -- whatever is clear for them. Question: How do you feel about Laius and Jocasta's decision personally? Like, if a friend came to you and explained that they had abandoned their child because of a prophecy, how would you feel about that? What would you yourself do if you received a message from your deity that suggested this same fate that Laius and Jocasta received? Would you make the same decision? Why or why not? As before, give students time to write down their answers and think about it. When they slow down, ask this question: Question: We probably fall into one of three groups with regard to our beliefs. We're either religious, meaning that we believe in God or the Gods, or in some divine or supernatural entity, karma, force, et cetera. However, we could also be atheists and not believe in any kind of supernatural or divine entity. Finally, we could be agnostics and simply not know whether or not there is a God or gods. Judging from our OWN PERSONAL ethical, moral, and religious perspective, did Laius and Jocasta act morally? Consider the fact that they might have acted morally according to the criteria of ancient Greece, but that doesn't mean we agree with the criteria of ancient Greece. Do we agree or disagree? |
Stage Three: Talk to Someone
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Procedure
At this point, have the students talk amongst themselves, and encourage them to find someone who DISagrees with their basic idea or part of it. Argue it back and forth for about five minutes. Question: Now, use what the other person said to help you. Beginning with "However," incorporate their ideas into a sentence, like, "However, some people think_____, [but I now think/ but I still think]_____ because________" and explain whether or not they changed your thinking -- and why, of course. |
Stage Four: FInd the Moments and the Take-Home Message
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Question:
Think of the reasons why you believe what you believe. What 2-3 moments from the play were really important to helping you come up with your conclusions here? Question 2: What was it about those moments that really helped you come to your conclusion? What was important to know about those moments? Jot those down and make sure you include page numbers and maybe a few words from the play. Procedure At this point, have the students talk amongst themselves, and encourage them to find someone who DISagrees with their basic idea or part of it. Argue it back and forth for about five minutes. Question What is the take-home message? What's the point we're supposed to understand about the Laius and Jocasta issue? It's about gods, fate, obedience to the gods -- but what are we supposed to think ABOUT these ideas? Procedure At this point, have the students talk amongst themselves, and encourage them to find someone who DISagrees with their basic idea or part of it. Argue it back and forth for about five minutes. |
The Big Reveal
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Reveal at this point that in essence, the students have ALREADY NOW WRITTEN an entire C CDW CDW C paragraph.
All they need to do at this point is add a few minor pieces of information and rearrange things slightly: 1. Claim
2. Context
3. Context/Data/Warrant, Context/Data/Warrant
4. Expanded Warrant
5. Conclusion
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Revision and Editing
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