You can choose a more sophisticated topic. The paper must be 4-5 pages (not including cover page and sitation) .
Camus and Kierkegaard Final
Assignment and Outline
This paper
is relatively simple. All you are tasked with is to figure out the meaning of
life. To be more accurate, you are tasked with comparing and contrasting Camus’
and Kierkegaard’s view of the meaning of life. They both use the term ‘the
Absurd’ in very different but related ways. This is the easiest and most
interesting line of analysis to take. All you need to do is explain what each
author said about the meaning of life and then state whether you agree with them,
preferably siding with one or the other. In this way, you will have to flesh
out their theses in the selection and then engineer your own thesis in
response.
Here is a
quick model as an example… Camus (data) and Kierkegaard (data) both claimed X
(data), however, Kierkegaard’s evaluation works as a better model because
(Topics Y, Z, D).
Once you
arrange your topics into the thesis statement, it will then give you the map of
the paper.
Your essay
should be formatted correctly (12 point font, double spaced, etc) and should
use either APA or MLA citation style. The paper will be 4-5 pages long and will
require 3-4 citations. You already have 2 citations you can use (Camus and Kierkegaard),
and the hook gives you another citation. After that, you will simply need to go
to Google Scholar for the remaining citation. Or, you can use the handy
selections from Nietzsche (which are thematically related) as your additional
citation.
Some notes:
-Since I am taking issue (or agreeing with) Camus’ ‘meaning
of life’, I should summarize it in the context paragraph.
-This essay is not about your opinions of the meaning of
life. This is an analysis of the two authors’ views of the meaning of life.
This is intended to be an academic essay, so personal opinions aren’t really
relevant except as expressed in agreement/disagreement with the authors.
-Since the comparison/contrast paragraph is based off the
claim, I can prepare to cite someone/something that agrees or disagrees with
Camus’ ideas. (Cough… cough… Nietzsche…)
-Don’t use Camus/Kierkegaard as your hook. Find another
author.
-For questions regarding MLA or APA citation style: Google
OWL Purdue APA/MLA + (reference type).
(E.g., If I want to cite a song lyric in APA, I simply type
‘owl purdue APA song lyric citation’.)
-As an aside, if you are citing from a text that has page
numbers (even in digital format), cite the page numbers as well:
Camus says, “Blah blah blah” (Sisyphus 34).
-For your research portion of the essay, go to Google
Scholar for related articles if you need them. For the main citation of
Camus, you can find the text of the essay online. Cite it as an online
reference.
-Lastly, PLEASE REFER TO THE EDITING CHECKLIST I EMAILED TO
YOU AND PUT ON MOODLE. IT OUTLINES EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR BEFORE
SUBMITTING THE ESSAYS. Use that list for all your essays in all your classes
(except when other professors require different formatting/style/subject).
