Gilgamesh Analytic Essay
Concession-Assertion thesis structure.
Date due: Monday - 11/23 – 10pm – turnitin.com
Word limit: 1000 words (10% either side is appropriate)
Worth: 100 points total
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80 points for the essay itself
10 points for a concession/assertion thesis due Sunday 11/15 10pm to
smounkhall@scarsdaleschools.org – please put thesis in the body of the email – please do not
attach it or send me a link to a google document.
10 points for a visit: (bring thesis and one body paragraph)
o 11/13-11/18 – 10/10
o 11/19-11/20 – 9/10
o 11/23 – 8/10
Possible questions: (choose one)
1. To what extent was Enkidu becoming more human a positive experience for Enkidu? Why?
2. To what extent was Gilgamesh becoming more human a positive experience for Gilgamesh?
Why?
3. Which 2 purposes of myth are most important in the story of Gilgamesh? Why?
- Entertainment
- Explain the unexplainable
- Shared history
- Models of behavior (role models of what or what not to do)
- Creation of a shared identity
4. What 2 models of human interaction are most important in the story of Gilgamesh? Why?
- Extermination
- Amalgamation
o Syncretism
o fusion
- Accommodation
- Appropriation
- Assimilation
5. Which women in the story of Gilgamesh are the most important? Why?
- Ninsun
- Prostitute/Priestess
- Ishtar
- Siduri
- Utnapishtim’s Wife
Suggested Structure:
Introduction:
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Catchy and relevant opening
Background information
Term spinning
Concession-assertion thesis
Body Paragraph One – Concession
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Topic Sentence (thesis idea 1 + concession example)
Quote set up: who/what/when/where?
Quote – properly cited - “15-20 words” (Mason 53).
Literary Function analysis
Links back to topic sentence/thesis
Transition to assertion #1
Body Paragraph Two – Assertion #1
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Topic Sentence (thesis idea 2 + assertion example#1)
Quote set up: who/what/when/where?
Quote – properly cited - “15-20 words” (Mason 53).
Literary Function analysis
Links back to topic sentence/thesis
Transition to assertion #2
Body paragraph Three – Assertion #2
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Topic Sentence (thesis idea 3 + assertion example#2)
Quote set up: who/what/when/where?
Quote – properly cited - “15-20 words” (Mason 53).
Literary Function analysis
Links back to topic sentence/thesis
Conclusion: No conclusion for this assignment
You will be graded on the following:
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How well edited is the essay and how well does it respect the word limit? 20%
How well developed is the introduction? 5%
How well developed are the topic sentences? 25%
How well developed are the quote set ups? 20%
How well chosen are the quotes? 5%
How well developed is the literary analysis and links to the ideas? 25%