Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography
Essay Assignment
Requirements:
 Typed on Buzzword and shared with me as co-author (ballentine@wsps.org).
 500 words
 Double-spaced
 Logically developed
o Make a claim.
o Support it with information.
o Close out with a satisfying end.
 Paragraphs must be 75-150 words
Assignment: Pick One (due date, Friday, September 18 by class time).
1. Which of Franklin’s thirteen virtues do you think is most important, and why.
Support your choice with reasons, examples, and reference to personal
experience. Cite the precept in full.
2. To the best of your ability, explain the meaning and importance of any one of the
virtues and its precept. Support your choice with reasons, examples, and
reference to personal experience. Cite the precept in full.
3. To the best of your ability, argue against any one of Franklin’s thirteen virtues.
4. Argue the claim that “Franklin’s search for moral perfection is (is not) a good
idea.” Support your argument with reasons, examples, and reference to personal
experience.
Sample Layout
Student Name
Early American Literature
Mr. Ballentine
Due Date
Benjamin Franklin on the Virtue of X
Indented paragraphs and the rest of the essay follows….