Your goal is to pose a single, well-refined question, explain where it comes from and why it is important, and then explain a thoughtful possible response to it. Ideally, your essays will develop naturally out of the writing and discussing we do in class each week (though you are welcome to pursue a totally new angle, too). Notice that the word count for these essays is relatively low. This means that you will need to pick a precise question and devote extra effort to being clear and concise in your writing. Follow the outline below and come to me for help if you need it. The essay should attempt to do just two main things: 1) Introduce the question on which you want to focus: a. What is your question? b. Where does it come from? (Give us the textual/intellectual context so we understand the question in terms of the content of the course) c. Why is it interesting/important/challenging? 2) Suggest a response (or multiple responses) to your question: a. How exactly does the response hook up to the question? (Walk us through the logic of your response and show us why it is a sensible answer to your question.) b. Are there any interesting further implications of your answer?
