Assignment: Pick one of the following prompts below from the play, Doubt, and compose a carefully constructed essay by using the structure provided. Follow the specifications of this assignment as they will be used as the rubric when grading. The focus of the paper is to critically think about the way in which the appeals to reason (ethos, pathos, and logos) are used to persuade. Even if you are still in
“doubt” in regards to whether or not Father Flynn is guilty or if Sister Aloysius is right or wrong in her approach to finding out the truth, focus on how language is used through ethos, pathos, and logos. However, if you have a strong position, feel free to take a stand in your analysis. This is more of an expository paper than a position paper; however, a position may be taken.
Prompts:
1. Analyze the Father Flynn’s sermons of DOUBT (scene I), INTOLERANCE (scene V), and GOSSIP
(Scene VI) and how they relate to the relationship between Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius. Examine the use of ethos, pathos, and logos in the sermons as a means of persuasion. Be sure to look at the parables in Doubt (man at sea) and Gossip (gossiping woman and her feathers) sermons. Intolerance is a sermon in the making, so use your creativity here. The song, “Frosty the Snowman” may be used as a parable.
2. Analyze the themes of DOUBT and CERTAINTY with the character, Sister Aloysius and how she uses ethos, pathos, and logos as a means of persuasion. These appeals will be the controlling points of the
analysis.
3. Analyze the themes of DOUBT and CERTAINTY with the character, Father Flynn and how he uses ethos, pathos, and logos as a means of persuasion. These appeals will be the controlling points of the analysis.
4. Analyze the themes of DOUBT and CERTAINTY with BOTH minor characters, Sister James and Mrs. Muller. Examine how these characters play an important role in shaping the arguments between Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius. Examine the use of ethos, pathos, and logos in these relationships.
Essay Structure:
1. Introduction Paragraph: (about 1/2-3/4 of a page in length – not too long)
a. Hook (start with an attention getter to catch the reader’s attention)
b. Primary Source Citation/Context (Intro of play + brief summary: In John Patrick Shanley’s
Doubt……)
c. Thesis statement (last sentence of the introduction paragraph that echoes the prompt that you
are selecting):
Sample student thesis statements (feel free to adapt from these examples):
Prompt 1- Sermons: In Shanley’s Doubt, the sermons of Doubt, Intolerance, and Gossip
connect to the deeply troubling relationship between Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius.
Prompt 2/3 (one character): In Shanley’s play, Doubt, Sister Aloysius/Father Flynn articulates
her/his doubts and certainties through her/his ethical, emotional, and logical appeals as she/he
fights to win her/his case.
Prompt 4 (Must examine BOTH minor characters): In Shanley’s Doubt, a Parable, the minor
characters, Sister James and Mrs. Muller, express doubts and certainties, which shape the arguments of Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn.
2. Body Paragraphs: (Add points in topic sentences – first sentence of the paragraph- followed by supporting details/scenes from the play, quotes, and analysis.)
a. Prompt 1- Sermons: 3 body paragraphs, one for each sermon
Para 1: Doubt + man at sea parable+ analysis
Para 2: Intolerance sermon in the making + “Frosty the Snowman” parable + analysis
Para 3: Gossip + feathers parable + analysis
b. Prompt 2/3 – Sister Aloysius/Father Flynn: 3- 4 body paragraphs (3-4 points of your own to
support thesis)
Para 1: Point 1 + analysis
Para 2: Point 2 + analysis
Para 3: Point 3 + analysis
Para 4: Optional Point 4 + analysis
c. Prompt 4 – Sister James and Mrs. Muller: Side by side analysis of Sister James and Mrs.
Muller in 4 paragraphs-
Para 1: Sister James + Sister Aloysius
Para 2: Sister James + Father Flynn
Para 3: Mrs. Muller + Sister Aloysius
Para 4: Mrs. Muller + Father Flynn
3. Conclusion Paragraph: (about 1/2-3/4 of a page in length- not too long)
a. Restate thesis in different wording from the introduction (first sentence)
b. Summarize points
c. Closing thoughts
Specifications/Grading Rubric: Verify that all specification requirements below are met BEFORE
submitting the final paper. These specifications will also serve as a rubric when assessing/grading the
final paper.
• MLA typed format (refer to the sample paper on the Cerritos College Library homepage)
• 1500 words MINIMUM. (WORDCOUNT WILL APPEAR ON TURN IT IN. IF IT IS LESS
THAN 1500 WORDS, IT WILL NOT PASS.)
• Times New Roman Font; 12 inch point size; double spaced, title centered
• Your name, professor’s name, course number, and date in upper left hand corner, 1 inch from the top
• Your last name and page number on all pages ½ inch from the top in the upper right hand corner
