Literary/Argumentative Essay
Assignment
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
Your team is going to write an argumentative essay based on
literary analysis of Sophocles’ play Oedipus Rex. The team will
choose one of the following topics, and then each member will
do his or her own prewriting for the entire essay. After the
prewriting is finished, you will meet with your team, share
ideas, and develop a strong plan to collaborate and write an
essay using typewith.me.
 According to the play, which plays the greater role in our
lives, fate or free will.
 While many people would say that seeking knowledge of
our world is important, Oedipus’ search leads to his
downfall. Can we therefore assume that according to the
play ignorance is bliss.
 Agree or disagree with the chorus’s statement that
ambition is essential to a well-run government: “…that the
God may never abolish the eager ambition that profits the
state” (972-973).
 Determine whether Oedipus is or is not responsible for his
downfall.
Your essay must include an introduction with a thesis
sentence (four to six sentences), three body paragraphs,
and a conclusion of (four to six sentences).
Your body paragraphs must include a topic sentence, two
strong concrete details from the play (fully developed) and
two sentences of relevant commentary for each concrete
detail, and a concluding sentence. You must include three
quotations from the play and cite them with parentheses and
page numbers.
Make sure your essay focuses on the play! Use evidence
from the play to support your claims, not evidence from the
politics of today.
Using typewith.me
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Mr. Spence will show you how to access and use
typewith.me. Each member of the team must take
responsibility for specific parts of the essay. All
members can work on revision and proofreading.
Once a title or URL has been established for the essay.
Someone in the team will post a link to the wiki for the
assignment. This way Mr. Spence can view the writing
process.
Evaluation
The assignment will receive two scores 50 points for content
and 50 points for proofreading.
Focus 12 pts. The authors will develop a clear, strong thesis.
Topic sentences further develop the thesis, and focus will be
sustained through commentary in the body paragraphs.
Organization 12 Pts. The authors will create an effective
introduction and conclusion. The body paragraphs will
progress logically, and organization within the body
paragraphs will be logical and coherent.
Support 14 pts. The authors will include strong concrete
details, fully developed. The details will be strong enough that
even a reader who has not read the play can understand the
main points of the essay. Three of the concrete details must be
quotes from the play with correct parenthetical citations.
Style 12 pts. The authors use a variety of effective sentences.
Vocabulary is clear and concise. The author avoids passive
voice and incorporates strong nouns and verbs.
Proofreading: Two points off for most proofreading errors. Ten
points off for fragments, run-ons, and comma splices.