8/4/2019 WRITING 1 - Polybiis Question

1/3

EUH 2011, FALL 2011

WRITING ASSIGNMENT #1DUE, IN CLASS, SEPTEMBER 6

POLITICAL ORDER IN POLYBIUS

I. Preliminaries

A. Writing

1. Obey the rules of the 5- 7 sentence, 3-part introduction:a. three sentences of pure objective data - the what, when, where, who

b. two or three sentences where you deal with the question itself that arises

out of this data - THE QUESTION OF SO WHAT (Never forget the question you are

being asked!)c. a final sentence that offers your answer to that question in 1, 2, 3, form.

2. Keep everything simple

3. Towards the object of simplicity, write shorter rather than longer sentences,

avoid clauses and weak verbs (is, was)4. Check out Pyrons Guide and more critically the Shorter Version

5. Remember how a proper paragraph works:Topic sentence, short at tight that sets up a mini-argument (which you have

set up in the intro - See I.A1.c above)

Evidence from the text that supports your ST

B. Form1. Double space, dark print, generous margins

2. Cover sheet

It should NOT include your name, but should include the following:a. The question you are answering - it might help to repeat the question; the

word count, title if any.2. Blank comment sheet at end of the essay3. Name page only at the very end. Only here, no where else in the paper

should you identify yourself.

4. STAPLE all this together, upper left hand corner.C. Original Work

Make your work your own. Do not use ANY sources beyond the text itself. Wiki

stuff will not help; dont use it. Panicky? Buck up. Remember you get the chance to

redraft.D. Length

The essay must be 500-750 words - that is, 2-3 pages. All of these words, not

incidentally, should be direct and useful. You are downgraded more for bs that forshortness.

II. The ProblemA. Background

Polis order is and will be a central focus of this course. We have covered it in

various lectures already. Just so, we will treat Polybius not once but twice - thus assume

its centrality in understanding the critical distinctions of Greco-Roman (Western)

8/4/2019 WRITING 1 - Polybiis Question

2/3

civilization. Polybius and the Polybius reading raise a variety of issues in the comparison

and description of the Greek and Roman political systems. While Polybius might seem

to prefer (not necessarily!) the Roman one he also assumes that they are completelycomparable (as opposed to some savage, barbarous or tribal system, for example).

Assuming all this, here is the question.

B. The questionWhat is central to the governing systems of both the Greeks and Romans? More

specifically, what are the 2-3 most critical elements of any political order as Polybius

would seem to understand it.

8/4/2019 WRITING 1 - Polybiis Question

3/3