Katie Zurich, Adjunct Faculty
English Adjunct Colloquium
April 18, 2013
Sample Assignments from Reading Literature and Writing Argument
First Assignment/Activity
Chapters 1 and 2 focus on the qualities of an argument, with specific emphasis placed on
critical thinking and inquiry. As an introduction to the course, and one another, I assign
the following:
Consider ethos, pathos, and logos. Based on our definition, descriptions, and application of
these rhetorical appeals, select three objects from your life that are debatable in nature.
For example, consider an I-phone. Consider an argument that someone might present
regarding an I-phone. You will share at least one of these objects, and create a dialogue
that models critical inquiry. Aim to incorporate discussion that is focused on ethos, pathos,
and logos.
I’ve found this activity acts as a wonderful icebreaker, but it also makes the concept of critical
inquiry and ethos, pathos, and logos much more relatable. Students are able to see the
importance of each rhetorical appeal, but it also showcases the need for a balance in
argument.
Early Essay Assignment
Write an essay in which you analyze and evaluate the argument presented in the following
essay: “Divorce and Our National Values.” Plan to examine the argument carefully.
Consider the following questions:
What is the author’s claim?
What evidence does the author provide?
Is the author credible?
Are any logical fallacies evident within his argument?
Are the author’s assumptions valid?
Make sure you incorporate key terms and concepts within your analysis and evaluation.
Midterm Essay (In-Class)
Prior to the exam we read and discussed the following pieces:
Abbey’s “Eco-Defense” (344)
King, “Letter from Birmingham Jail” (212)
Plato, “Crito” (225)
Katie Zurich, Adjunct Faculty
English Adjunct Colloquium
April 18, 2013
Option 1:
Can you imagine any situation in which your own individual needs must be placed behind
the needs of society as a whole, even when such situations demand individual sacrifice?
Drawing on King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and Plato’s “Crito,” write a synthesis essay
in which you argue the extent to which an individual should sacrifice his/her own needs for
the needs of the society. Make direct reference to the essays you have read, but quote from
them only sparingly.
Option 2:
Some groups today advocate civil disobedience. For example, Greenpeace boats illegally
disrupt whaling and fishing activities, Trident Ploughshares, an anti-nuclear organization,
holds mass demonstrations disrupting Royal Navy sites in the UK, and most recently, Wall
Street protestors blocked access to the Brooklyn Bridge. Is such activism justified?
Drawing on Abbey’s “Eco-Defense” and King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” write a
synthesis essay in which you argue the extent to which environmental activism is justified.
Make direct reference to the essays you have read, but quote from them only sparingly.
Essay Option
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“Last Letter to His Wife” by Sullivan Ballou
“Terminal” by Nadine Gordimer
How does an individual determine his or her ethical responsibility in a personal or an
intimate dilemma?
You will need evidence, which is the body of information used to support the claims. In this
particular assignment, the evidence is the text. Consider what rhetorical appeals (ethos,
logos, pathos) move the reader toward the acceptance of the claim. How might you defend,
refute, and/or qualify the claim?
Essay Option
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
“The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien
“The Boy Died in My Alley” by Gwendolyn Brooks
Your question is:
When and how should an individual act in the face of the destruction of life?
Katie Zurich, Adjunct Faculty
English Adjunct Colloquium
April 18, 2013
Essay Option
How do you define character? What value assumptions influence your perspective on
character and individual identity? What evidence—personal experiences, observations,
specific individuals (family members, peers, teachers, coaches, etc.) --have contributed to
your value assumptions about character? Based on your reflection of Paley’s “A
Conversation with My Father” and your own experience, write an argument about the
significance of character in shaping an individual’s identity.
Essay Option
Consider “Everyday Use” and “Mothers.” Specifically, revisit our discussion on how to teach
and preserve family values. Create an argument that uses a character, scene, or element
from each text that supports your view on the proper way to preserve heritage and familial
values.
Sample Journal Question
Can you recall a specific situation in which you jumped to a conclusion? Try to step back
and analyze the situation. What caused you to "jump" too quickly? Would you characterize
it as an "innocent mistake," or did you have a strong emotional interest in coming to that
conclusion?