Essay Assignment - Does Alexander the Great Merit His Exalted Historical Reputation

Taking Sides: Does Alexander the Great Merit His Exalted Historical Reputation?

The chapter you will read for the Essay Assignment is excerpted from Joseph R. Mitchell and Helen Buss Mitchell, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Western Civilization (McGraw Hill, 2000). The material focuses on the question, "Does Alexander the Great Merit His Exalted Historical Reputation?" and includes two opposing viewpoints: N.G.L Hammond arguing "yes", and E.E. Rice taking the position "no". Each of these articles presents a sequence of evidence in support of the position the author takes. The material also includes an introduction, or "Issue Summary" and a Postscript.

Directions

Your assignment is to read to materials in the chapter, to assess the relative merits of the positions taken by each author, and to take a position on the central issue. You will then write an essay of approximately 1000-1200 words, or 4-5 pages typed and double-spaced using a 12 point font, in which you will state your position in a clearly-worded thesis, and defend that thesis using evidence from the articles you have read. As you make your argument, you should present evidence in support of your position, and examine and refute the opposing viewpoint. In general, I recommend that your paper adhere to the following structure:

• Title of Essay - please give your essay a title (also, please remember to put your name on your essay)
• Introductory paragraph - In which you introduce the issue, provide relevant background information, and state your thesis.
• Body of paper - In which you present evidence in support of your position (i.e., your thesis), and refute evidence supporting the opposing point of view. The body of your essay should include several paragraphs (the number will vary, depending on the precise organization of your essay), each paragraph beginning wilth a strong topic sentence that makes clear the purpose of the paragraph.
• Conclusion - In which you re-state your thesis and summarize the argument you have made in support of that thesis.

As you complete this assignment, please follow these guidelines:

• General Format - Please use the formatting style of the Modern Language Association (MLA). If you have taken English Composition (ENG 121) at Aims, this format should be familiar to you. If you are not familiar with MLA format, there are several excellent resources available, including the Aims Community College Online Writing Lab and the Purdue University Online Writing Lab. Again, your paper should be 1000-1200 words (4-5 pages typed and double spaced, 12-point font) in length. Your paper should be submitted in a common file format: .doc (or .docx), .rtf, or .pdf.
• Citations - As you present evidence in your essay from the articles you have read in the chapter, either in support of your thesis, or when refuting contrary evidence, please provide appropriate citations to the article you are referencing. All citation should follow MLA style for In-Text Citations.
• Additional Sources - Please note that you are NOT required to use any additional sources for this assignment, you are required only to take a position based on the relative merits of the two articles presented in the chapter. If you do choose to use additional sources, please include a List of Works Cited at the end of your essay.
• Due Date - Please consult the Class Schedule for your course regarding the due date for this assignment. The Class Schedule can be found on your course website in Aims Online, under Content > Start Here > Syllabus. The Essay should be submitted using the Dropbox in the Aims Online course website.