Developing
Your
“Moral Courage” Essay
Hook
• It’s okay to open with a quote for this one, as
long as you use an appropriate lead-in:
– Robert F. Kennedy described moral courage as “a rarer
commodity than bravery in battle or great
intelligence.” But what is moral courage?
– (Google “moral courage quotes” for a plethora of
other options besides the RFK one)
• General background/observation/scenario:
– At some point in life, most people are faced with
decisions that require them to examine their values.
– Life often consists of a series of moral conflicts, pitting
reason against emotion or self against society.
Hook, con’t
• Observation/striking statement:
– It is not always easy to do the right thing, especially
when the “right” choice is not always apparent.
– Too often, people do what is easy (or socially
acceptable, or expected, etc.) instead of what is right.
• Question (not ideal, but acceptable):
– What is moral courage?
– (You must then go on to define it in your own words,
perhaps providing examples).
Your Definition of Moral Courage
• Needs to be in your own words
• Provide examples if necessary
T.A.G.
• Sophocles’ tragedy, Antigone, and Tim
O’Brien’s essay, “On the Rainy River”
• Note the punctuation
• Lead-in to thesis from here
Thesis Statement
• While both literary works feature a
protagonist who….
– faces a difficult moral choice
– demonstrates moral courage
– is forced to examine his or her values and make a
decision
– (etc. etc.),
• __________________is the more courageous
character.
Example thesis
• While the protagonists of both literary works
must make difficult moral choices,
_________________exhibits
(demonstrates/shows/etc) greater moral
courage.
• Although both Antigone and Tim O’Brien
demonstrate bravery, __________________ is
the character who is morally courageous.
Body Paragraphs (suggestion only)
I.
Antigone
A. Brief plot summary
B. CD1: Something Antigone does or says that demonstrates
moral courage (incorporate a direct quote with citation
here).
C. CM, CM: Why her words/actions demonstrate moral
courage
D. CD2: Something else she does or says that demonstrates
moral courage (use another quote)
E. CM, CM: Same as above
F. CS Example: Despite the danger of censure, judgment,
and even death, Antigone acted according to her
conscience.
Second Body Paragraph
• Do the same thing with “On the Rainy River”
• You may want to reverse the order of these
two paragraphs, depending on your thesis
Tim O’Brien in Vietnam, 1969
Third Body Paragraph:
Rebuttal/Contrast
• TS can restate your thesis…sort of.
• Example: Although _________________ was
clearly concerned with doing the right thing, s/he
did not demonstrate the same degree of moral
courage as ____________________.
• CDs should focus on the CHOICES each character
makes and the REASONS behind them.
• CMs will bring YOUR values into play; you will
have to examine the characters’ choices and
reasons and explain which was the more
courageous and why
Conclusion
• SO WHAT? Stuff to think about:
• These are just two of countless examples of characters who
arrive at a moral crossroads.
• Why is this such a prevalent theme in literature?
• How often in life to people have to make these kinds of
choices?
• When faced with a choice, do people typically do what’s
right, what’s easy, or just what’s expected?
• Is there always a “right” answer? Why or why not?
• Why is moral courage so important? What would the world
be like without it?