Anthem Writing Assignment
The Importance of Free Will
The Prompt:
Explain what it means to have free will and whether the characters in Anthem’s society lacked or possessed free will.
The Requirements:
-Must be a minimum of five paragraphs
-Must be in MLA format
-Each paragraph must contain a properly cited quote from the text to support your position and commentary.
Your Thoughts: (due at the end of class on October 10)
One of the oldest and most important philosophic issues is the problem of free will vs. determinism. Ayn Rand was an advocate of
free will. She believed that all people can make choices, make up their own minds and can direct their own lives by the ideas and
values they adopt. Those who advocate for determinism believe that people are by nature in the grips or forces beyond control.
These forces may represent a form of a God, the stars, economic conditions, racial or social heritage or instincts.
1.
After reading the descriptions of free will and determinism, decide whether you believe in free will or determinism or
maybe both. Explain your thoughts. These thoughts might eventually take the form of your thesis statement.
2.
Do you think the characters in Anthem have free will? Explain your answer and provide TWO quotes to support your
answer.
3.
What do you think Equalitie’s feelings on free will and determinism might be?
The Rubric: (to be handed in with your final draft)
GRADING SCALE:
A quality work indicates the writer develops his/her ideas, remains articulate and convincing. The author’s thoughts represent a
higher level of thinking. B quality work indicates the writer develops ideas and is articulate but the ideas do not represent a higher
level of communication. C quality work indicates the essay component may be evident but weak. D quality work indicates the writer
may attempt to communicate an idea but the writing may be unfocused and ideas incomplete. F quality work indicates the writer’s
ideas may be irrelevant to the topic or the writer did not include the essay component.
INTRODUCTION
________10 Compelling hook that relates directly to the thesis, draws the reader in and promotes thought.
________5 The bridge introduces the text and author and reminds the reader of the overall plot of the text.
________15 Thesis statement- explains the focus of the essay.
BODY PARAGRAPH #1
________10 Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that relates back to the thesis statement.
________10 each paragraph contains context providing the reader with background information so the reader is familiar with the
proposition made by the writer.
________10 Each paragraph contains a concrete example which can be a quote, specific example, or explanation from the text that
relates directly to the thesis. The quote is properly cited and adds to the reader’s understanding of the proposition made by the
writer.
________20 Each paragraph contains an explanation or commentary. The commentary further analyzes the evidence provided in
the concrete details and convincingly proves the point made within the paragraph and entire essay. The commentary also relates the
topic of the paragraph back to the overall thesis statement.
BODY PARAGRAPH #2
________10 Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that relates back to the thesis statement.
________10 each paragraph contains context providing the reader with background information so the reader is familiar with the
proposition made by the writer.
________10 Each paragraph contains a concrete example which can be a quote, specific example, or explanation from the text that
relates directly to the thesis. The quote is properly cited and adds to the reader’s understanding of the proposition made by the
writer.
________20 Each paragraph contains an explanation or commentary. The commentary further analyzes the evidence provided in
the concrete details and convincingly proves the point made within the paragraph and entire essay. The commentary also relates the
topic of the paragraph back to the overall thesis statement.
BODY PARAGRAPH #3
________10 Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that relates back to the thesis statement.
________10 each paragraph contains context providing the reader with background information so the reader is familiar with the
proposition made by the writer.
________10 Each paragraph contains a concrete example which can be a quote, specific example, or explanation from the text that
relates directly to the thesis. The quote is properly cited and adds to the reader’s understanding of the proposition made by the
writer.
________20 Each paragraph contains an explanation or commentary. The commentary further analyzes the evidence provided in
the concrete details and convincingly proves the point made within the paragraph and entire essay. The commentary also relates the
topic of the paragraph back to the overall thesis statement.
CONCLUSION
________10 Reviews the thesis statement
________10 Connects the thesis to the main ideas in the essay
________10 Extends the ideas and concepts presented in the essay to real life (why should the reader care about your opinion?)
________10 Contains an echo (concluding hook)
FORMATTING AND CONVEVNTIONS
________5 Essay contains correct MLA formatting
________20 spelling, grammar and punctuation (one point off for each mistake)
_______235 TOTAL