K: The problem is that I cannot decide what I’m supposed to do!
Wamba the Fool: Pax vobiscum will suffice in any matter.
Rostand: Seek little solace in the old Latin, fool, but instead “Live!” For life is too too short for any of us to worry overmuch.
It is time to show your stuff off. In our final paper, you will assemble the great minds and characters of Western civilization for a discussion of a key problem we have addressed. This can be light-hearted, but should represent the ideas of your antagonists accurately (in the end, this is what will determine your grade!).
For instance, you might address any of the following questions:
1. Why and how do we suffer?
2. Can we know truth/Truth?
3. What is Truth?
4. Is the will strong enough for us to find contentment?
5. Is love possible?
6. OR ANY OTHER QUESTION SUGGESTED BY OUR READINGS.
In order to accomplish this, follow this process:
1. Choose a question (above or one of your own) and characters or authors as indicated below.
2. Create a list of their key ideas/notions on the question you have selected. Construct short “speeches” each might make.
3. Select a location for their discussion.
4. Assemble their ideas, filling in lines where necessary to make the dialogue smooth.
Length:
Format: Write this like a play. For ease, single-space the lines of characters, leaving one line between speakers. Place actions and tones and attitudes in parentheses (). You may write an opening Setting section and a Characters section, if you wish, or have the dialogue continue in more than one scene.
Due:
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Seniors, May 19
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Juniors, June 7
SOME HINTS:
1) Try to make all sides of the argument believable. That is, don't have one side sound completely stupid just because you don't agree!
2) No one side has to "win" the argument at the end, though you can have a winner if you wish.
3) Focus your writing on the purpose (exploring an issue) rather than on a dramatic Dawson’s Creek story. Write it as if characters were sitting around and arguing.
4) Try to make the characters respond to each other rather than just make speeches that don't connect to the rest of the dialogue.
5) You can use real characters and make them say anything you want, you can use fictional characters, or a combination.
6) You may be a character, but this does not count towards one of the required characters.
7) You can use humor, but don't forget your purpose!
SOME PAPER IDEAS STUDENTS HAVE TRIED BEFORE
--A seance with ghosts
--A play
--An interview of famous people
--A courtroom trial
--A public debate
--A dialogue "in the mind"
--A "Bill and Ted" adventure
--A TV or radio talk show