ASSIGNMENT ON THE THESIS AND ARGUMENT FOR WADE DAVIS' ESSAY: PLANTS OF THE GODS
Paper due in Corbett's email box: July 13th
Assignment # 12A
ASSIGNMENT: First state ONE of the CENTRAL theses of Davis' paper in 15 words
or fewer. Then number and carefully sketch the major arguments which
Davis offers for that thesis. Davis' paper is not a thesis paper in the normal sense. I urge you to
consult Corbett's essay on Davis before undertaking this assignment. In any case, the thesis you pick
should be on one of the two major issues he does address.
PRE-WRITING TASKS:
First reread Davis' essay all the way through with some care and reflect on it.
You will need to have decided upon one of the two highest level theses for which you will
offer the arguments.
Try to imagine the situation in which a some one has asked you about the
Davis paper and you have given them a thesis which they seem to understand. However, your correspondent
is a skeptical person and asks: What reasons would Davis ever have for believing such
a thing? (the "thing" being the thesis, of course).
If you have initial simple questions of understanding, e-mail Corbett privately and indicate
whether this e-mail may or may not be used to the whole class. (Note at times
your puzzles will be likely puzzles that others will have as well. Getting them out to
all may be a genuine class service.) But, on these e-mails, it is as you wish.
WRITING THE ASSIGNMENT:
Be sure to put your name and the number of the assignment at the top of every paper. See
topic of this page for the number of this assignment. Also, please give the brief "name" of the assignment.
Be sure you number the main arguments you choose.
Do NOT directly quote Davis. Tell this all in your own words.
Be sure the arguments you select are ARGUMENTS FOR THE THESIS YOU HAVE SELECTED. Each must
be one of the primary reasons Davis has for his thesis which you've selected.
Explain each argument in a clear fashion, never going beyond Davis, but never quoting him
either.
There should not be ONE SINGLE word of evaluation in this paper. This is an exercise in
analysis, not criticism.
GRADING CRITERIAL I WILL USE:
Does the paper reflect a careful reading of Davis' paper?
Is the numbered set of reasons given accurate to Davis' paper?
Is each argument explained correctly and clearly?
Is there even a single sentence or even single word of criticism in the paper?
Is the paper written clearly and in standard English grammar and spelling?
THE GRADES THEMSELVES:
A grade of A will mean: The paper is accurate to Davis' paper,
100% analysis, clearly expressed in the student's own words and in standard English.
A grade of B will mean: The paper is mainly accurate to Davis' paper,
but there are some grounds to complain of accuracy or the centrality of the thesis chosen. The paper is mainly 100% analysis, clearly expressed in the student's own words and in standard English,
but enough lapses to matter.
A grade of C will mean: Either their are some more serious grounds to
be concerned about the accuracy of the analysis to Davis' paper, or there is some more
serious failing at remaining 100% within analysis , or failures in clearly expressing one's self in the one's words or more
serious violations of standard English. A C might also mean some mixture of the two sets of failures.
A grade of D will mean: More serious versions of the set of concerns mentioned
for a C have occurred.
A grade of F may mean anyone of three things:
Not turned in at all.
Not turned in on time.
Significant failures to meet the assignment at the level of reasonable university
level expectations of thought, attention to detail, attention to reading or expression. (specifics will be pointed out).
NO ASSIGNMENT MAY BE REWRITTEN FOR HIGHER CREDIT. You are welcome to rewrite them to improve them, and I will happily comment on them. But the original grade will remain as it was on the first and only graded attempt.