Politics 213 (W, IT) R Fall 2007 WRITING ASSIGNMENT NO. 1 A DIALOGUE

Socrates: "Hence, both in this life and on the thousand-year journey we've described, we'll do well and be happy."

(For a time everyone fell silent, and then from the corner two figures stepped forward.)

You: "Excuse me for the intrusion. My friend and I are visitors from a distant future land, called America, governed coincidentally enough by a Representative Liberal-Democracy. We have listened with great interest to all that you have said. I know that my friend has many questions for you. For my part, I find myself wondering if you have accurately described the dynamics of democratic institutions, culture and character?'"

Socrates: "Yes, I had noticed the two of you in the corner. I am glad that you are both here and delighted to hear that you have been provoked to try to better understand your self and your society.... You don’t want to believe that you are in a democratic cave, do you?"

You: "Well ...

Taking the above exchange (and format) as your opening scenario, add to and thereby improve the dialogue of the Republic. Using your character (with an invented name) and a fictitious second character (who represents and stands for views markedly different from those of your own character) raise questions and counter-arguments to the observations made by Socrates, and appeal to contemporary examples of the institutions, culture, and character of America(ns) in doing so. Socrates, Adeimantus and Glaucon should be present, but a rejuvenated Thrasymachus and/or Cephalus can appear too, if you wish.

Your dialogue should:

• be about 10 pages or 2500-3000 words in length (make sure to number your pages).

• be single-spaced (but with line space between speakers and margins as above).

• emulate the 'to and fro' of a conversation but don't fill your dialogue with too many niceties;

e.g. "How's the weather?" Rather, get to the issues!

• specify the character speaking, and make their comments consistent with their personalities.

• include objections that the characters, especially Socrates, might raise against your own counter-arguments and examples.

• include some minimal yet meaningful 'stage-directions' and ‘actions’ italicized in brackets.

• be free of spelling and grammatical slips; however some colloquial or conversational language

is acceptable.

• have your name at the bottom of the final page not on the cover.

• have an interesting and explanatory title.

DUE: W Oct 3: • DRAFT of WRITING ASSIGNMENT NO. 1

DUE: F Oct 12: • WRITING ASSIGNMENT NO. 1

• SELF-EVALUATION

FEEL FREE to call upon THE WRITING CENTER staff in Mathews