Harry Potter & Philosophy
Wizarding & Widsom
Winter/Spring 2008
5-7 pages
due date:
Wednesday, 27 February 2008description of assignment:
This essay is a 5-6 page critical analysis essay, based upon one of the articles we have read, in relation to the content of the Harry Potter series. As such, you must not only explain the content or argument of an article, but must also go on to [a] relate it to the content of the Harry Potter series and [b] interact critically with the viewpoint expressed.If the article you choose to write about does not directly interact with Harry Potter per se (e.g., Tolkien's "On Fairy Stories"), you will have to relate the article to the book series. Even if the article you write about does interact with Harry Potter, you will have to assess and/or extend that interaction (e.g., if the article was written awhile ago, whether the final books change anything).
An important component of this essay is that you must interact critically with the viewpoint expressed in the article, either agreeing or disagreeing or considering alternative interpretations or applications. Whatever position you take, you must both [a] make your own position clear as well as [b] giving due consideration to the other views and possibilities.
In other words, if you disagree with an article in some respect or see other possibilities for interpretation, then you should consider how the author might respond to your disagreements or viewpoint and interact with what the author's response might be.
On the other hand, if you substantially agree with the article, then you should still consider how someone who disagrees might respond or interpret or apply things differently. In that case, you should provide some defense of the article or at least your reading of it.
Of course, there are various possibilities in between, such as substantially agreeing, but quibbling with various details or agreeing with an author's conclusion while finding fault with the author's arguments for that conclusion. Such possibilities make for a more complex essay, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Whatever the case, in terms of grading, I'll be paying attention to how you handle material and viewpoints that are in tension with or run up against your own point of view. Dealing with differences in a fair and charitable way is an important virtue to cultivate. Thus, even when you have a strong disagreement you must attempt to be a convincing advocate for what you disagree with in order to earn the right to attack it.
help with writing
Writing is often best undertaken with the help of others. This is true as much for experienced and published authors as it is for less mature writers. In light of that, the Sheekey Writing Center is located in Olney 203 where tutors are available, free of charge, to help students expand their skills and sharpen their strengths.The tutors welcome work from all disciplines and across all grade levels, including graduate, and deal with papers in all stages of development, including idea development. The Center also provides information on research and documentation styles as well as study skills. While the Writing Center does not operate as a proofreading service, tutors there can assist you in the editing and proofreading process to help build the skills necessary to accomplish these tasks.
In terms of developing content, feel free to come talk to me, to discuss your paper topics with your classmates, to even to make us of some of the online discussion forums related to Harry Potter. Ideas are often best developed in collaboration and discussion with others.
criteria for evaluation:
The following kinds of criteria will be used in evaluating and grading your essay.- Is it an accurate representation of the article, capturing what was argued and giving it a fair interpretation?
- Does it clearly state the essential content of the article and its arguments?
- Does it make proper use of citations, quoting material accurately, in a proper form, and only when helpful and relevant?
- Is there evidence that effort was put into writing the essay in terms of adequately meeting requirements, clarity, and technical care (e.g., avoiding spelling and grammatical errors)?
- Does the essay show that you understand what the author was saying?
- It is clear what position you are taking with regard to the article’s viewpoint?
- Do you creatively and thoughtfully relate your topic and article to the content of the Harry Potter series?
- Are any disagreements clearly presented and insightfully backed up with argumentation, examples, and evidence?
- Are agreements cogently justified by careful understanding and evaluation of the position?
- Are both sides given due consideration, providing a balanced and fair presentation of issues?
- Are your summaries, arguments, and position organized clearly and in a logical way?
In order to get an "A" on this essay, you will have to do well in all of these areas.