missing section title ). W r i t i n g

The Topic this is: Every person has their natural place in society — The Myth of the Metals. Specialization of the
citizens into the work that best fits their nature and how this shows up in society. 

Decide on a topic (see below) and locate a passage or passages from the first seven books
of the Republic that connects with this theme. Read the passages that intersect with your theme
carefully and note their details.   
Decide on one of the texts from the list below.  Skim the text’s table of contents for a
chapter that connects with your topic.  Read that chapter or chapters looking for passages that
deal with your topic.  Take notes on how the author discusses your theme.  If you do not see a
way this happens then try another text or change your theme.If you think there is a way the
reading connects with your theme but have difficulty describing the connection ask your
instructor for help.  
You’re now ready to begin the paper.  The paper has six parts.  Each section must be named
with the title in boldface (5-point deduction for each missing section title).  
1) Introduction (One paragraph)
 

Construct an introductory paragraph having these four (to six) sentences:
 

One sentence that states a VERY general theme related to a topic covered in this class.  
For example: Many consider access to  education to be the reason why some people
enjoy a large number of opportunities and others very few.
 

One (or two) sentences that describes how Plato sees the theme. Plato discusses the
theme of education when he XXXXXX. He also discusses it again when he discusses
YYYYY.
 

One sentence (or two) that describes how the chosen reading from your author exhibits
the theme. In his/her book, XXXX, written by YYYY, also brings up the theme of education
in a scene that shows MMMM.  Also, the theme of education comes up again in another
scene/feature of the movie that shows ZZZZZZ.  
 

One (or two) sentences describing what the student-author sees missing in one of these
approaches.  This sentence (or sentences) could be stated in more than one way.
 

EXAMPLE 1: For instance you might consider both Plato and your chosen author to miss
something about the nature of education: This paper argues that Plato’s approach to
education in the Republic and XXXX’s approach to education in YYYYY misses/does not
take account of/fails to observe JJJJJJ about the nature of education. After first

discussing Plato’s approach to education I will discuss XXXX’s approach to education.  
Then I will conclude by discussing JJJJJ.   
 

EXAMPLE 2: Or you might believe that Plato misses something about the nature of
education that your chosen author gets right:  This paper argues that Plato’s approach to
education in the Republic misses/does not take account of JJJJJJ about the nature of
education. After first discussing Plato’s approach to education I will then turn to discuss
XXXX’s approach to education.  Then I will conclude by explaining how/why XXXX’s
approach to education is better than Plato’s approach.
 

2) Plato’s Republic (two or three paragraphs)  
 

Discuss passages where Plato discusses the chosen theme and incorporate at least two
quotations to explain Plato’s position.   
In these two paragraphs answer these questions: why, when, how, and with what goal(s)
does Plato take up the theme of QQQQ?  
 

3) Your Author’s Name (two or three paragraphs)  
 

Discuss passages where your chosen author discusses your theme and incorporate at least
two quotations to explain their position.   
In these two paragraphs answer these questions: why, when, how, and with what goal(s)
does your chosen author take up the theme of QQQQ?  
 

4) Overlap of Plato and Other Author (one paragraph)
 

Discuss one feature of the chosen theme where Plato and your chosen author appear to
agree.  
 

5) Divergence of Plato and Other Author (one paragraph)  
 

Describe one detail where the film and the Republic notably diverge in their discussion of
this theme.  What are the consequences of this point of divergence for understanding the
theme?   
 

6) Takeaway (one paragraph):  
First, remind your reader why you consider the theme you have chosen to be important.   
Second, remind your reader why you believe the approach you have found to be best
(Plato’s, your author’s or your approach) is the best approach.
Then, name one other benefit that approaching your topic in the way that you do provides
to your reader. 

Themes from the Republic:
People are bad unless forced to be good — The Ring of Gyges
Every person has their natural place in society — The Myth of the Metals.  Specialization of the
citizens into the work that best fits their nature and how this shows up in society.
Education as the cause for society’s class structure
The role of censorship  
Is there anything real about this world?  The distinction of the world into appearances and
reality.
Women and equality
The distinction within the guardian class between warrior (auxiliary) and overseer guardians
How individuals internalize the organization of society (i.e., the three parts of the soul can be
found in the three parts of the city)   
The ills of the soul are caused by the ills of society.  Plato’s three part soul and the war among
the parts.
Either philosophy rules the soul and the city or society and people are at war with with
themselves.
The image of the pilot, sailors and the ship – even if someone could make this world a better
place no one would believe (or follow) him or her.