Encomium Assignment
(From the original Greek enkomion, meaning song of praise)
(From the original Greek enkomion, meaning song of praise)
For this assignment, you will be coordinating several skills: research, summary, and argument.
An encomium is "a composition expository of attendant excellencies" (Quintillian) with subjects including: persons, things (such as abstract ideas), times (as the seasons), places, animals, and growing things, either general or specific. Your purpose here is to write in praise of Freedom in connection to your own position on the subject of ___________.
In your past research, you have looked at a particular topic. In this essay, you will be presenting your own position on the subject.
The first step in this assignment is to decide how you are going to present your song in praise of Freedom via your subject. You will need to determine how to present your subject as praiseworthy.
The next step is to examine sources for support of your thesis that Freedom via your subject is praiseworthy. You may actually have to define what you mean by your thoughts on Freedom. You may not find much, but make sure that you cite accurately from whatever sources you use.
The next step is to find secondary sources to corroborate your thesis and support. You will need to consult a variety of sources. You will need to use a minimum of 4 to 6 sources for this assignment.
Once you have accumulated your evidence, you are ready to construct your argument. You can build it around the Classical, Burkeian, Rogerian, or Toulmin models. Be particularly sensitive to accommodating your audience; remember it is at best neutral, and at worst skeptical. Persuade them on the rightness of your position without subordinating your ethos to their pathos.
A successful encomium will discuss not only the “wonders of the hero” or praise of the subject for being excellent. After composing an exordium (introduction), follow these steps:
- Define your idea of Freedom and connect it to your subject. What is your definition of Freedom? How is your topic related to your definition of Freedom?
- Discuss your position on your subject and present your argument.
- As we've discussed in class, there are a number of different ways that you can present your argument so long as it contains the following: claim, stated reason, warrant, and support. These do not have to be identified or labeled, but it should be clear to your audience (intelligent but uninformed) how all these pieces are connected.
- Make sure that you provide opposition points.
- If possible, make a favorable comparison to another subject related to Freedom.
- Conclude with an epilogue including an exhortation to your hearers to consider your argument.
- Because you will be referring to sources, you will need to provide a Works Cited page in correct MLA format in addition to your title page and the exploratory paper itself.
- Remember to observe the conventions of standard written English as well as of presentation. Your final paper will be a completed essay (4 to 5 pages in length) with parenthetical citations
- Your completed package will include the encomium, the works cited page, the rough draft responses, notes, and the rough draft
Date 1:_____________, you should have formulated a research question and a 300 word proposal; we will spend some time in class reviewing your findings.
Date 2:_____________, you will have a typed rough draft to share in your writer’s group. Make sure that you bring drafts for everyone in your group.
Date 3:_____________, you will
turn in a revised draft to me.
