English Department
Ms. Haloulos
Argumentative Essay
Directions: Closely read the two texts provided and write a source-based argument on the topic below. You must use All My Sons and “Tragedy and the Common Man,” by Arthur Miller, and one of the two texts provided. This is due Monday, November 3, 2014. Topic: Is Arthur Miller correct in claiming All My Sons and Joe Keller are modern versions of Aristotle’s tragedy and tragic hero?
Your Task: Carefully read each of the texts provided. Then, using evidence from All My Sons, “Tragedy and the Common Man,” and either “Arthur Miller: An Attempt at Modern Tragedy,” by Alvin Whitley, or “Arthur Miller’s All My Sons in Light of Aristotle’s Poetics,” by Dr. Raj Kumar Mishra, write a well-developed argument regarding whether All My Sons and Joe Keller are modern versions of Aristotle’s tragedy and tragic hero. Clearly establish your claim, distinguish your claim from alternate or opposing claims, and use specific, relevant, and sufficient evidence from the three of the texts to develop your argument. Do not simply summarize each text.
You will have to include a Works Cited page. I have provided you with the articles which require the website information and access dates to properly cite. As such, I have included the citations for the articles below; you still have to write the citation for All My Sons.
Guidelines:
Be sure to:
• Establish your claim regarding whether All My Sons and Joe Keller are modern versions of Aristotle’s tragedy and tragic hero
• Distinguish your claim from alternate or opposing claims
• Use specific, relevant, and sufficient evidence from the three texts to develop your argument
• Identify each source that you reference
• Organize your ideas in a cohesive and coherent manner
• Maintain a formal style of writing
• Follow the conventions of standard written English
Article Citations:
Miller, Arthur. "Tragedy and the Common Man." NY Times [New York] 27 Feb. 1949: n. pag. The New
Citations: Miller, Arthur. "Tragedy and the Common Man." NY Times [New York] 27 Feb. 1949: n. pag. The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Web. 17 Nov. 2014. Mishra, Dr. Raj K. "Arthur Miller 's All My Sons in the Light of Aristotle 's Poetics." ARC. Creative Commons Attribution, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014. Whitley, Alvin. "Arthur Miller: An Attempt at Modern Tragedy." Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters 42 (1953): 257-62. The State of Wisconsin Collection. University of Wisconsin Digital Collections Center. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.