Fate vs. Free Will

Narrative Essay

People in ancient Greece believed that from birth their lives were dictated only by fate. In other words, they thought that their entire lives were predestined and everything they did or that happened to them was part of that already determined destiny. The idea that fate controls one's life also presumes that people have no free will -- no ability to make choices, good or bad, that will influence their own futures.

Do you believe that your life is controlled by fate, or your own free will, or both? In other words, do you think that fate is inevitable and can’t be changed or do you believe that you or outside forces working on you can change the course of your life?

ASSIGNMENT:

Write a narrative essay about how fate and free will have played roles in your life. You must discuss both issues and make references to how these are expressed in Oedipus.

You might consider the following questions: Does fate or free will exist? Can they be changed? Do you have any say in the way your life unfolds? Are there any things that are completely beyond your control? Is modern fate the same as it was for Oedipus? Did Oedipus attempt to use free will?

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 5 paragraph essay; 25-30 sentences
  • MLA format (Times New Roman, 12 pt., double spaced, 1” margins all around, proper headings on each page)
  • 2 to 3 examples from Oedipus Rex
  • narrative essay style

Personal/Narrative Essay
Grading Criteria / Above Standard
(4) / At Standard
(3) / Near Standard
(2) / Below Standard (1) / TEACHER ASSESS-MENT / STUDENT SELF – ASSESS-MENT
Position Statement/ Controlling Idea / Position or main idea is clearly stated and consistently maintained. Provides clear references to the topic. / Position or main idea is easily identifiable and consistently maintained. Provides clear references to the topic. / Position or main idea is not easily identifiable and is not consistently maintained. Provides unclear or few references to the topic. / Position or main idea unidentifiable or missing. Provides unclear or no references to the topic.
Sentence Fluency & Transitions / Writing is fluent and polished, with effective and varied transitions. / Writing is generally fluent and uses someeffective transitions. / Writing is choppy due to poor variety and/or lack of transitions. / Writing flows poorly due to absence of transitions.
Grammar, Usage & Mechanics / No punctuation, spelling, capitalization or grammar usage mistakes that interfere with meaning. / Total of one or two punctuation, spelling, capitalization or grammar usage mistakes that interfere with meaning. / Total of three or four punctuation, spelling, capitalization or grammar usage mistakes that interfere with meaning. / Total of five or more punctuation, spelling, capitalization or grammar usage mistakes that interfere with meaning.
Organization of Ideas / Writing follows prescribed format, and conclusion connects and comments on key points. / Writing follows prescribed format, but conclusion may only summarize key points. / Writing follows prescribed format, but conclusion may be too brief / Writing ignores prescribed format, or conclusion is absent or unfocused.
Use of language / Use of language is discerning;. Vivid details included; strong verbs used; figurative language employed ; title is perceptive / Use of language adds to the narrative’s effectiveness:
Some vivid details included; some strong verbs included; some figurative language employed; title is thoughtful / Lacks in one of the following: vivid details and/or figurative language.
Does not use strong verbs.
Title is basic/literal / No attempt to use details, strong verbs, or figurative language or use is superficial; title is either “Narrative Essay” or not present
Significance of Experience and Voice / Experience described in such a way to demonstrate its meaningful relevance to the narrator. Narrator’s voice is clear and purposeful. / Experience described in such a way to demonstrate its relevance to the narrator. Narrator’s voice is evident. / Experience described seems literal and/or superficial.Narrator’s voice is unfocused. / Experience described seems basic and meaningless. Narrator’s voice is not evident.
Teacher Comments: