Developing Your “Moral Courage” Essay

1. Developing Your “Moral Courage” Essay

2. Hook • It’s okay to open with a quote for this one, as long as you use an appropriate lead-in: • Robert F. Kennedy described moral courage as “a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence.” But what is moral courage? • (Google “moral courage quotes” for a plethora of other options besides the RFK one) • General background/observation/scenario: • At some point in life, most people are faced with decisions that require them to examine their values. • Life often consists of a series of moral conflicts, pitting reason against emotion or self against society.

3. Hook, con’t • Observation/striking statement: • It is not always easy to do the right thing, especially when the “right” choice is not always apparent. • Too often, people do what is easy (or socially acceptable, or expected, etc.) instead of what is right. • Question (not ideal, but acceptable): • What is moral courage? • (You must then go on to define it in your own words, perhaps providing examples).

4. Your Definition of Moral Courage • Needs to be in your own words • Provide examples if necessary

5. T.A.G. • Sophocles’ tragedy, Antigone, and Tim O’Brien’s essay, “On the Rainy River” • Note the punctuation • Lead-in to thesis from here

6. Thesis Statement • While both literary works feature a protagonist who…. • faces a difficult moral choice • demonstrates moral courage • is forced to examine his or her values and make a decision • (etc. etc.), • __________________is the more courageous character.

7. Example thesis • While the protagonists of both literary works must make difficult moral choices, _________________exhibits (demonstrates/shows/etc) greater moral courage. • Although both Antigone and Tim O’Brien demonstrate bravery, __________________ is the character who is morally courageous.

8. Body Paragraphs (suggestion only) • Antigone • Brief plot summary • CD1: Something Antigone does or says that demonstrates moral courage (incorporate a direct quote with citation here). • CM, CM: Why her words/actions demonstrate moral courage • CD2: Something else she does or says that demonstrates moral courage (use another quote) • CM, CM: Same as above • CS Example: Despite the danger of censure, judgment, and even death, Antigone acted according to her conscience.

9. Second Body Paragraph • Do the same thing with “On the Rainy River” • You may want to reverse the order of these two paragraphs, depending on your thesis Tim O’Brien in Vietnam, 1969

10. Third Body Paragraph: Rebuttal/Contrast • TS can restate your thesis…sort of. • Example: Although _________________ was clearly concerned with doing the right thing, s/he did not demonstrate the same degree of moral courage as ____________________. • CDs should focus on the CHOICES each character makes and the REASONS behind them. • CMs will bring YOUR values into play; you will have to examine the characters’ choices and reasons and explain which was the more courageous and why

11. Conclusion • SO WHAT? Stuff to think about: • These are just two of countless examples of characters who arrive at a moral crossroads. • Why is this such a prevalent theme in literature? • How often in life to people have to make these kinds of choices? • When faced with a choice, do people typically do what’s right, what’s easy, or just what’s expected? • Is there always a “right” answer? Why or why not? • Why is moral courage so important? What would the world be like without it?