6SE – 1: Trojan War

Question: Who was to blame for the Trojan War, according to ancient sources?

Required evidence: [ACM] Herodotus Histories 2.113-120.

Required evidence:

The judgement of
Paris: black-figure
amphora found at
Vulci (Italy), Archaic
period

Athena
Paris
Hera (Alexander)
Aphrodite Hermes
Reminder: only 6 sentences, in exactly this order!
1. Topic sentence. What is your answer to the question? Be specific!
2. Describe evidence 1 or evidence 2. Summarize essential information so that reader can understand
what you are talking about. Give specific information from the source; paint a word picture. Be sure to
include the source or author, but don’t quote directly (e.g. “As Horace narrates in The Centennial Hymn
…”). For visual evidence, narrate the features of the scene and its composition.
3. Interpret evidence. Explain what’s important in the evidence you’ve just described that points to your
answer. Be specific.
4. Describe comparative evidence. Summarize essential information so that reader can understand what
you are talking about. Give specific information from the source; paint a word picture. Be sure to
include the source or author, but don’t quote directly (e.g. “The plan of the Forum Romanum around
42 BCE …”). For visual evidence, narrate the features of the scene and its composition.
5. Interpret evidence. Explain what’s important in the evidence you’ve just described that points to your
answer. Be specific.
6. Make comparisons. Explain how the two pieces of evidence compare or contrast and why they point to
your answer. (Go back and edit sentence 1 as necessary, if you changed your mind!)
*important: it’s okay to switch the order of evidence 1/evidence 2 if that makes more sense for your
argument.

This individual writing assignment is due no later than Tuesday, 1/25, 9am, in the folder for this
assignment on OAKS.

• You may not work with a classmate on this assignment; please complete it on your own. You
may consult a tutor in the Writing Lab for assistance in preparing or revising your 6se.
• If you need an extension until Thursday, email Dr. SK to arrange to use a token. You must
request an extension before the Tuesday due date.
 • You will receive feedback on your essay via the OAKS assignment folder – click on the
feedback link in the folder to view your rubric.
• If you do not pass the first time, you should revise. Use the feedback in your rubric to guide
you. Dr. SK is very happy to review drafts or consult on revisions.
Format your essay as follows:
• Type your first and last name at top of paper (as you would for a handwritten assignment)
• Include brief title on the page (e.g. “6SE-1: Who started the Trojan War”)
• Write the 6SE as one paragraph; do not number the sentences.
• Use 12-point font with serifs (Times New Roman, Georgia, Palatino, etc.; not Arial or Helvetica or
Calibri).
• Double-space your 6SEs (and all writing in college, unless specifically instructed otherwise).
• Use 1-inch margins (not 1.25” or .75”) for your 6SEs (and all writing in college, unless specifically
instructed otherwise).
• Left-align your paragraph and indent the first line.
• Run both spell-check and grammar-check in your word processor before submitting. Follow rules
of formal written English. When writing Greek or Roman words and names, carefully copy the
spelling from a published textbook or class reading.

Pay careful attention to the due date! Late essays are not accepted, unless an extension has been
requested and granted before the deadline. Extensions cost a token.

Essays are graded on the E/M/R/U scale using the following rubric.
Complete; 6-sentence structure Lacks required 6-sentence structure
Fails to respond to assignment
1: topic Answers question briefly, specifically General Incomplete
sentence Unclear Weirdly specific
2: describe 1 Clear summary of entire evidence, including inaccurate summary: review content, context
source location wordy, unfocused
3: highlight/ Plausible, responds to significant points Insignificant More summary
interpret factually incorrect unclear
general no analysis
4: describe Clear summary w/ Clear summary w/ solid generic summary no comparative evidence included
comparatives multiple or brilliant comparison tenuous comparison
comparisons inaccurate summary
wordy, unfocused
5: highlight/ Plausible, responds to significant points Insignificant More summary
interpret factually incorrect unclear
comparatives implausible no analysis
general
6: analyze Factually correct, Factually nearly correct, general Unclear
ancient detailed, persuasive specific, plausible implausible/easily Logically inconsistent
culture countered Catastrophic misinterpretation
relies on
misunderstanding
Formal No errors of grammar or typography, or limited Frequent errors of grammar or typography or errors that
writing errors that do not confuse meaning. impede understanding.
issues
Overall Passing – no further action required Not passing – revision advised with token use
E M R U
Exceeds expectations Meets expectations Requires revision Unacceptable