Instructions

This essay should be a 600-900 word essay focusing on the assigned readings

• This should be a close reading essay, and should use as evidence primarily passages from the story or stories that you discuss. You may not use ANY outside sources without the instructor's approval.

• The essay should be in MLA essay format (see the sample essay attached below) and use MLA citations. A works cited entry and in-text citations for each text discussed are required.

• It should have a self-assessment (which should answer these questions) as the first page.

What topic did you decide to respond to and why?

If the topic allowed you to choose what works to write on, which work or works did you choose and why?

What do you feel are the strengths of your essay?

What parts of the essay do you feel are weaknesses or areas that could use more work?

Are there any particular parts of the essay on which you would like more feedback?

• The essay should be focused on making a debatable claim about the work(s) in question; informational essays or essays consisting of summary are not appropriate. The claim should be supported with discussion of specific passages from the text(s) on which the essay is focused. The essay grading rubric can be found here.

DISCLAIMER: Originality of attachments will be verified by Turnitin. Both you and your instructor will receive the results.

Choose 1 of the following topics, and write a thesis-driven essay in response to that topic

1. The Tragic Hero: In Oedipus Tyrannus, should we view Oedipus as tragic only, or can we find something heroic in his actions and end? Support your argument by discussing events and lines from the play.

2. Being Human: Consider Oedipus' attempts to outrun prophecy: what does this tell us about ancient Greek views of human potential and limitations? Support your argument by discussing events and lines from the play.

3. Learning Culture from Literature: choose 1 poem by Li Bai, and analyze it. What can readers learn about Chinese culture in Li Bai's time from this poem? Support your argument by discussing only passages from the poem you chose.

4. Shared Themes: Choose one (1) poem by Li Bai, and identify in it a theme that you also can find in Oedipus Tyrannus. Compare and contrast the two works' treatment of the theme. Do they deal with that theme in a way that is more alike or different? Focus your thesis on arguing how the treatments are more similar/different, and support your argument by discussing only passages from the two works.

5. Make your own topic: create your own critical question to answer in your essay. If you choose this topic you must contact the instructor for approval by Thursday of Week 3. Essay submissions with unapproved topics will be returned.