Below is a sample of one kind of writing assignment which can be given for quick analysis of important ideas in a book. This assignment is designed to interact with the same ideas students are looking for in their annotating of texts for the sake of commonplace journaling. A sample of this kind of essay is also supplied after the instructions.
The Great Ideas, Virtues, and Vices (G.I.V.V.) essay is a five paragraph “ways in which” essay. The purpose of this kind of essay is to identify either a Great Idea, a Virtue, or a Vice which plays a significant role in a particular book and then to highlight three ways in which it is present in the reading. For example, if you are working on a G.I.V.V. essay for The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien then you might pick the virtue of “Fortitude” (a.k.a. Courage) because you have noticed numerous places in the story where this virtue is present.
Having selected your G.I.V.V. you will then need to give a definition for it. For the purposes of this essay you need to offer a definition of your own without reference to a dictionary. You can consider this definition a stipulative definition (see Introductory Logic by James B. Nance) because you want your reader to be persuaded that you understand the topic you are talking about and that he or she should understand it in the same way you do. For instance, you might define courage as, “the willingness to risk your own well being for the good of others” or perhaps as, “doing what is right even when it is difficult and dangerous.” You can also offer a word of justification in favor of your definition and perhaps anticipate and answer any objections that might be raised.
Once you have given your definition you need to point to three “ways in which” your chosen G.I.V.V. is present in the text. For example, one way in which courage/fortitude is seen in The Lord of The Rings is when Sam leaves behind the safety and familiarity of the Shire in order to help Mr. Frodo take the ring to Rivendell. Another example of courage might be when the people of Rohan take their stand against the forces of Sarumon at Helm's Deep. A third way in which fortitude is seen in The Lord of the Rings is when Eowyn and Merry, though a woman and a hobbit, ride to war with men of Rohan.
After you have your chosen G.I.V.V., have defined it, and have identified at least three ways in which that G.I.V.V. plays a part in the text, then you are ready to write your essay. Here is a suggested outline:
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Briefly introduce the text you are interacting with.
State your chosen G.I.V.V.
Offer a persuasive definition.
Describe in greater detail the G.I.V.V.’s defining qualities and what sets it apart from any similar notions.
Paragraph 2: Way one.
Give an example of your chosen G.I.V.V. and explain how it fits into the text you are examining.
Quote the book to prove your example is legitimate.
Discuss why this qualifies as an example of your G.I.V.V.
Paragraph 3: Way two.
Give a second example and explain how it fits into the text you are examining.
Quote the book to prove your example is legitimate.
Discuss why this qualifies as an example of your G.I.V.V.
Paragraph 4: Way three.
Give a third example and explain how it fits into the text you are examining.
Quote the book to prove your example is legitimate.
Discuss why this qualifies as an example of your G.I.V.V.
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
State why your chosen G.I.V.V. is important to the overall text.
Explain why you care, and why others should care, about this topic (what should they learn from it?).
What will you and what should others do in light of this (application)?
Sample Essay:
G.I.V.V. Ways in Which Essay
“The Book of Thoth” in Tales of Ancient Egypt
In Roger Lancelyn Green’s book, Tales of Ancient Egypt, there are many interesting stories of the Egyptian gods and goddesses as well as stories of magic and adventure. One of the stories which I found particularly interesting is called The Book of Thoth, a story about a prince of Egypt named Setna who pursued an ancient book (after which the story is named) in an attempt to gain great magical powers. In this essay I am going to examine three ways in which the vice of “recklessness” is present in the story. Recklessness is the bold taking of great risk without sufficient reason to do so. Recklessness should be differentiated from the virtue of fortitude, which is also known for taking bold risks, because one acts foolishly and the other wisely. Fortitude acts in the face of danger for the good of self and others, but recklessness often increases danger through foolish actions. Both the virtue of fortitude and the vice of recklessness take what we might call “guts” but they should not be confused with one another.
In the story, The Book of Thoth, Setna had been searching for the great magical book and he tracked it down to Nefrekeptah’s tomb where he found it lying on the chest of his mummy. As Setna approached to take the book, the Ka of Ahura, the spirit form of Nefrekeptah’s wife, appeared and warned him not to take the book. Ahura then related the sad tale about the fate of her family due to the book. Nefrekeptah had pursued the book many years ago because of his own desire for magical power. When Nefrekeptah told his wife of the book she warned him, “Do not go to Koptos to seek this book, for I know that it will bring great sorrow to you and to those you love.” (Green, 92) Nevertheless, despite the dangers associated with it, Nefrekeptah sought out the book. In the end his reckless pursuit of power not only led to his own death but also to the death of his wife and child. The wise god Thoth kills Nefrekeptah and his family for daring to lay hold of knowledge which rightfully belongs only to the gods. This is a good example of the vice of recklessness because Nefrekeptah had no real need for the book, rather, it was merely his conceited desire for power which compelled him to act so boldly.
A second example of recklessness in this story follows on the heels of the first. After Setna finished listening to Ahura’s tale, knowing full well the fate of the last person who pursued the book, he told Ahura to give him “that which lies upon the dead breast of Nefrekeptah, or I will take it by force.” (Green, 98) This action displays the same kind of recklessness that is seen in Nefrekeptah. Setna, just like Nefrekeptah, had no real need for the book but simply wanted to be great and powerful. His actions bring about the wrath of Nefrekeptah’s Ka and Setna nearly died in the tomb after losing to him in a battle of wits. Were it not for his brother acting quickly on his behalf he would have perished.
A third and final example of Recklessness came when Setna ignored the counsel of his father, the wise Pharaoh Rameses. Rameses urged him to return the book to the tomb of Nefrekeptah. Rameses told Setna that he could be sure that Nefrekeptah “will bring sorrow and evil upon you, and at last you will be forced to carry it back as a suppliant with a forked stick in your hand and a fire pan on your head.” (Green, 100) Nonetheless, “Setna would not listen to such advice.” (Green, 100) Because Setna continued to charge down the same path of defiance in his quest for glory and power he was placed under a magical trance. In the trance Setna fell in love with a beautiful woman (who ended up being a corpse) and he willingly sacrificed his wife and children in the process. When he woke from this trance, knowing that it had been the work of Nerekeptah, he was greatly relieved to find that his family was actually still alive. After that experience of horror he then rushed to return The Book of Thoth to Nefrekeptash as quickly as possible.
All things considered, The Book of Thoth is an exciting and heart pounding tale which also delivers an important message. The vice of recklessness, although often mistaken for courage, is in fact very dangerous and not at all worthy of praise. While it is true that recklessness and courage both involve a willingness to take great risks, recklessness means taking risks which are not warranted. Reckless behavior is often done with the idea of personal gain in mind, rather than the good of others, but even when reckless behavior is done with more noble intent it is still foolish. In the case of both Setna and Nefrekeptah there was nothing noble about their behavior. Each was blinded by their desire for power and, in its pursuit, they exposed themselves and others to great danger. We should learn from this story that it is best to listen to wise counsel when it is given and to only take up risky action when tp do nothing at all is likely to be more harmful to ourselves or to others who need our help.