In Class Essay 2014
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THE AGT
Voltaire’s Dictum states, “I disapprove of what you say but
will defend to the death your right to say it.” This idea
clearly relates to a major theme in the play, Inherit the Wind.
With regard to freedom of expression, do you believe that
Voltaire’s Dictum is a good guiding principle for modern
society? Clearly explain your views, being sure to include
specific and relevant real life examples to support your
assertions. You could also make direct references to the play
(text to real life) as you present your ideas.
AGT—You can’t make one up!
• Just freedom of
expression is not your
given topic. Many of
you ONLY wrote
about why freedom of
expression is a good
guiding principle for
society.
With regard to freedom
of expression, you had to
explain why you support
or do not support
Voltaire’s Dictum as a
guiding principle for
modern society. It must
be clearly linked and
connected to the
principle of Voltaire’s
Dictum
Something To Ponder
• Offending someone is not illegal. Are there
situations where saying something that
might offend others might be potentially
positive as it could spark debate?
• Isn’t healthy debate/conflict positive?
• Where should on “draw the line”?
YOUR GRADE
See the Writing Scoring Guide (website)
• Thought and Detail 10
• Organization 5
• Matters of Choice and Matters of
Correctness 5
Mistakes That Are No Longer
Tolerable.
• Quotation insertion:
The three steps are
clearly explained and
we have practiced this.
• Quotation mark errors
• Spacing/Indenting
errors
• M.L.A. format errors
• Comma splices
• Caps and numbers
errors
• Colon / semi-colon
/comma misuse
• Italics vs q marks
• Lack of connection to
thesis in main body
paragraphs
Quotation Use
Step 1
• When you establish
context, you must be
specific to what is
going to appear in
your quotation. It
must make sense to
your reader.
• Step 3
• Use your quotation to
make a clear and
direct argument that
supports your thesis.
You must explain the
quotation and how it
supports the point you
are making.
Common Errors To Watch For
• Use present tense when you write about
literature.
• Avoid the “royal we”. There is no place for
phrasing that uses the terms “we” or “you”.
• As you edit, ask yourself whether you have
used the most precise/accurate word choices.
• Simple example: [novel vs book vs. play—be
precise]
Those That Did Poorly
• You did not answer actual given question
(AGT). Freedom of expression vs. how this
relates to Voltaire’s Dictum
• You did not make clear and direct thesis
connections.
• You did not provide strong enough support
your assertions.
• Paragraphing was disorganized and
incoherent. Many wording problems.
Apply What You have Been Taught!
• I mean both now and in the future.
• You have notes, hand-outs, web-sites, etc:
USE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!
• I have marked and returned many
assignments; stop repeating the same
mistakes.
Student Sample
• This essay is one of several that was
particularly well-written.
• 2014 Hann
Your Next Major English Essay
In Semester 2 you will be writing a
literary analysis essay worth 50
points. DO NOT REPEAT THE
SAME MISTAKES.