Mmkay. Just because I feel like my argument isn't that abstract, and doesn't require too much explanation, I'll jump right into the different claims I could make. Though I'm almost certain I want to make a policy claim (for obvious reasons). However, I do think it would be, yes, fun, to force my mind to think in different ways about this topic.
So here it goes! And thank you, Charly, for the formatting idea.... :///
1. POLICY Though some may see it as an imposition of religion or a violation of its sanctity, the Bible should be objectively studied in American public schools for its literary merit and historical context, because it would help the coming generations have a better understanding of biblical allusions made in popular culture, give greater insight to the history of a foundational civilization, as well as illustrate literary devices taught in language arts classes. Phew. I know it's a fatty. Help me whittle it down.
2. DEFINITION This is where I start agreeing with Kirsten about driving the "struggle bus" trying to crank these out. I'm convinced it'll be worth it.... Though the Bible is recognized as a religious and sacred text, it also contains history that's foundational to our modern culture, as well as exemplifies literary devices worth studying in an academic setting. Thus, the Bible cannot singularly be categorized as a religious text, but as a tool for otherwise secular study.
3. COMPARISON (Perhaps number two could be....a comparison, also?) I'm stuck on this one. I could compare the works of Shakespeare, and studying them literarily, vs. studying the Bible in the same way. What more could be gleaned, what less?
4. EVALUATION Though the works of Shakespeare have greatly influenced the course of literature in the western civilization, the Bible has contributed more to the style and history of literature in the same, and has a greater role to play in the future of language study, if we allow it. Hahahaa. I don't even know if I believe that. But it was good practice(?), and would make for an interesting paper.
5. CAUSE/EFFECT Studying the Bible in American public schools may lead to a minor violation of its sanctity by those who disregard it as a religious text, but greater academic benefits can be gleaned from its literary merit, history of Christian and European civilizations, as well as help future generations of students understand frequent biblical allusions made in popular western culture.
I definitely appreciate your policy and cause/effect claims. I've been trying to make the same aspect on the Book of Mormon, but now I'm trying to figure out exactly how I'm going to revise my thesis, or even which one I should use.
ReplyDeleteI liked the two claims you hold, because they're very realistic with how American public schools are. Maybe you could help me with suggestions?
I actually really like your Definition claim. I think that it would be interesting for you to "define" the Bible by its literary worth as you perhaps compare it to other classic works of literature (for their secular value that is.) I think that from there you can go on to argue that it would be beneficial for students to analyze the Bible in school (so kind of a merge of the first and second one.)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your policy claim. With such a two-sided topic, you have to be strong and state how things should be. Sometimes, people need to be told what to think in order to think about a certain topic at all.
ReplyDeleteI feel like your subordinated clauses are supporting arguments to the main point itself.
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