What should OSU freshman be reading?
Why?
Imagine that OSU's curriculum development team has asked you to help them design a Core Literary Curriculum. Imagine further that in a few years every OSU freshman will be required to take the Core Literary Curriculum sequence. The development team asked youto help because you have undertaken a close reading of four of the most influential Greek literary works (there are a lot more, trust me ): Odyssey by Homer, Theogony and Works/&/ Days by Hesiod, and Symposium by Plato. The team wants you to recommend one of the four works to be required reading in the freshman course.
In this essay, you must answer the following question:
• Which of the following works should be required reading for every freshman at OSU: Odyssey, Theogony, Works2&2Days, Symposium?
The essay must state its thesis in a short introductory paragraph, followed by a few body paragraphs actually making the argument. As part of its evidence the essay must cite (not necessarily quote, but cite) specific passages of
• the chosen work at least three times
• and at least two of the nonMchosen works at least once each.
For example, if an essay argues for the primacy of Theogony, it must cite at least two of the other remaining texts (e.g., Odyssey and Symposium).
Essays may only use the four texts as evidence. Further details are below. For more tips on writing this type of essay, and a postMwriting checklist, see the relevant document on Carmen.