Notes
Click on the small “Whole Class” link at the top of the page.  To post, scroll to the bottom of this page and click on the “Reply” button.

Purpose

Each module unit takes the task of writing a good essay and breaks it down into smaller steps.  In this discussion, we will share our thoughts on our readings for this unit by relating the contents to our experiences and prior knowledge.  By sharing our interpretations on the readings, we will generate ideas for a good Essay thesis.  Doing so will be the first step in drafting a good essay final draft since a strong thesis tells the reader what the essay’s main argument will be.   In our discussion, you will also asked to support your thesis ideas with evidence from our assigned texts for this module.  That evidence will also serve to help you put together a comprehensive outline for your essay in the next assignment.

Main Post Instructions

Write 3 paragraphs (at least 200+ words) on the following:

Paragraph 1 

Summarize the setting of and what happens in the Allegory of the Cave from Plato’s Republic. 

Paragraph 2

What is the main argument of Laurie Santos and Tamar Gendler’s article “Knowing is Half the Battle”?   (Links to an external site.)Use your own words.  Please be careful to avoid plagiarism.

Paragraph 3   

1. Pick 2 Platonic arguments (from the Allegory of the Cave in The Republic) from the following list:
   
   We cannot trust our senses to give us reliable truths about the world because information we get from our senses will always deceive us.
   
   We can only trust our intellect when making important decisions.
   
   It is painful to challenge yourself to leave the world you know, but what you gain from the experience is worth it because you will discover the ultimate meaning in life.
   
   The greatest good in any person’s life is to become a philosopher who strives to educate his intellect in order to discover universal truths.
   
   Society needs trailblazers who are willing to risk the discomfort of exploring the unknown because those trailblazers will return to lead and teach others in society.
2. Begin your third paragraph with a one sentence thesis that fully answers the following question: Do you think Kotler’s extreme sport athletes would support and / or reject your two chosen Plato claims?  (To avoid misreading Plato’s more complex ideas, please limit yourself to choosing two ideas from the list and avoid going outside it unless you get permission from Dr. Kwa.)
3. Then support your thesis by providing examples from the stories of at least 2 of the athletes featured in assigned chapters of Kotler’s Rise of Superman: Danny Way, Laird Hamilton, Dean Potter, Doug Ammons, and Shane McConkey. 
4. End your main post with an interesting question for the class that stems from the ideas in your post.

Reply Posts (2 required, 50+ words each)

1. What parts of the other student’s main post could you identify with?  What parts did you like?  Explain why you liked those ideas.
2. Suggest improvements by referring to additional supporting examples from our class readings.  Or point out parts of the other student’s main post that you would like to see discussed in more detail, either with more explanation, clarification, or support.
3. End your reply post with an interesting question that is relevant to your discussion.

Grading

Requirements

• 1 main post (200+ words) that fully responds to Dr. Kwa’s prompt
• 2 replies (50+ words each) to others’ main posts.  See announcements for detailed  Forum Grading Rubric.
• Very Important:  You are required to end all of your main posts and replies with a question that is related to your thoughts in your post. 

Originality

Please make sure to give credit to other students by name should you discuss their ideas.  If your discussion forum plagiarizes ideas or wording from another student’s post or an outside source, your post will not be accepted for credit.

Discussion Formatting and Other Important Tips

•  Main posts should be titled “Main Post”
to distinguish them from replies
•  Paragraph formatting: Divide your post into separate paragraphs.  Skip a blank line between paragraphs, and do not indent paragraphs (e.g. business letters).

•  Make sure to answer all parts of Dr. Kwa’s instructions for each discussion.

•  Avoid recopying Dr. Kwa’s questions and writing in a question and answer format.  
Write in well-organized complete paragraphs.
• Must show language respectful of other students and Dr. Kwa.  Disagreement is fine; hurtful language is not.  Flaming posts will be immediately deleted from the forum.
• Must be proofread and reasonably grammatically correct.  I recommend that you first write your post in Microsoft Word, save it, and then cut and paste it into the forum.

•  
• Remember to capitalize “I,” beginnings of sentences, proper nouns etc.
• Use proper punctuation, including periods at end of sentences.
• Avoid all capitalized letters in words since this looks like screaming in written form.
• Avoid run-ons and fragments.
• Avoid abbreviations used typically when texting or writing casual emails.
• Always spell-check.