For essay one, you will write about John Henry Newman's The Idea of a University. Specifically, you will explain the meaning of a statement he makes in section five (pg 67): "Though the useful is not always good, the good is always useful."
What does Newman mean here? And how does this statement connect to his lecture's larger theme: The idea of a university. Finally, are Newman's main points signaled by the quotation above applicable to a university education today? In what ways? Are any not applicable?
Be sure to consider the specific quotation in the context of the whole selection. Also, the author introduction will be helpful.
Audience: Assume you are writing this essay for English majors who would want to better understand Newman's ideas. But also consider all undergraduates who are currently enrolled at a university. And professors at the unversity may be a secondary audience.
You do not need to use secondary (outside) sources for this essay.
Think and plan carefully before drafting and revising. You should use key direct quotations to support your ideas, but be careful not to use too many. Of course, your essay should be well-written and grammatically correct. To help with planning, you will write a scratch (paragraph) outline before drafting and turn this in with your final essay (5pts). We will go over the format of a scratch outline in class. Your outline can be typed or handwritten.
Consider the balance of your essay too. It may be tempting to focus too much on your views of education today and not spend enough time analyzing Newman's lecture. Find the appropriate balance.
Format: TNR, 12pt, double spaced, one-inch margins. Heading: Name, Course, Date (single spaced). Then double space and add your title (not essay 1). Double space again and begin your essay. You can print on the front and back of a page to save paper if you wish.
Since we are all using the same text from the NA, you do not need a works cited page. However, you should use in-text (parenthetical) citations for direct quotations. See the MLA Handbook, 9th ed.
Length: 3.5 - 4 pgs. Please paper clip pages rather than stapling them. Turn in scratch outline + final essay (no drafts needed)
Due Date: TBA