Newspaper Essay Topics

Newspaper Essay TopicsIn composing a newspaper essay, the key is to write within a particular topic and write about the point you wish to make. It is possible that you may stumble upon more than one way to write your paper, but for the most part, you will be following a certain theme or topic that is set.The idea is to start with a topic in mind and then write the newspaper essay around it. Sometimes the only thing you have to do is to research on the topic and find out how the person that wrote the story, titled or title of the piece ended up doing what they did. To get a feel for the paper topic, you can always write a small outline of what you want to write.The outline of the paper is just a way to get a sense of where you are going with the topic. If you are writing about animals, then you would need to know something about them, and that could be from any place. You could get a field guide from your local library, go to the zoo or aquarium or visit a zoo yourself. Perhaps even t o your local pet store.Someone has already done the research, so why not go to the library, or find out about the research person's life and find out their area of interest. There are tons of newspapers that you can check out as well as magazines that may be applicable to the topic of your paper. You could read news articles and find out about current events in your area.Think about the current events and try to find out how others deal with the issues in your area. You might come across a bit of a research shortage. There could be news reports that you would have not seen, and it could turn out to be more helpful to you than your school writing teacher.To make your paper, you may have to get out of your comfort zone. You may need to drive around town, or do some research for your article.There is a need to be prepared though. People who do not prepare often find themselves stumbling over themselves when they sit down to write. You can use a free newspaper outline to get a sense of how the paper will look like, but you will have to edit it later and make changes to the content if needed.Think about how your paper topic is written before you submit your project. With some research and planning, it is possible to write a great newspaper essay. It just takes time and patience.

Scepter in Hand Odysseus, Virtue, and the Question of Rank in the Iliad - Literature Essay Samples

Rank was central in Homeric Greek society. Though first given by ones pedigree, a mans standing in society was affected by his aret (virtue). A man of low rank, unless elderly or a seer, was supposed to be physically weak, unremarkable or ugly, and unable to debate complicated issues well. A man of high rank was expected to have physical prowess and debating skill worthy of his fathers, and a mans rank could be increased if he outstripped his ancestors in virtue. For example, though Odysseus is lord of a relatively minor island, he manages to augment his influence on the war through his power and cunning.This is illustrated by Odysseus victory in two decisive arguments in the Iliad, one against a man of lower rank than his, the other against a man of higher rank. The former consists of Thersites diatribe against Agamemnons greed and Odysseus rebuttal of it (Iliad, transl. Fagles, 2.245-328), the latter is Odysseus rebuke of Agamemnons plan to flee (Iliad, 14.99-127). Odysseus, ever fitting his argument to his opponent, pulls rank on Thersites and questions Agamemnons virtue, saying it seems incommensurate with his vaunted position.Thersites is a pathetic character, the antithesis of a hero. From his first description the reader or listener of the poem knows that he cannot make a decent argument. Having just been dissuaded from flight by Odysseus, all the men are content to listen to their kings counsel except for Thersites. As the solemn assembly convenes this comic figure steps forward. Wretched Thersites, a disliked commoner and the ugliest man among the Greeks, dares to rail at Agamemnon, glorious marshal of armies! (Iliad, 246-254) How can he, totally lacking in social and physical stature, challenge the great king of Mycenae and sound the retreat for all the Achaean armies? Not effectively at all, as it turns out.Thersites, whose oratory is on par with his appearance, presents a weak argument to the Achaean hosts. He compares Agamemnon to a gre edy dog, panting after yet more riches that he or another hero shall win for him. (Iliad, 2.263-270) Thersites sets himself up as a hero lofty enough to challenge Agamemnon, then calls for a retreat on the grounds that Agamemnon is not fit to command the army. He implies that Agamemnon isnt responsible enough to be king, declaring it shameful that such a high and mighty commander should lead the sons of Achaea into bloody slaughter! (Iliad, 2.272-273) Thersites calls Agamemnons rank and the qualities befitting his kingship into question, forgetting that he has neither the rank nor the heroic deeds behind him to support his argument. Odysseus, a man of both rank and virtue, soon reminds him of that.Odysseus exhibits the power and poise of a great man in his successful rebuke of Thersites. He starts his confrontation with physical intimidation and ends it with a blow from Agamemnons scepter and threats of further violence and humiliation if Thersites should be insolent again. Usin g a formula he will call on again in his rebuke of Agamemnon, Odysseus, in reference to Thersites defeatist diatribe, tells him, Youre the outrage[, not Agamemnons behavior]. (Iliad, 2.300) Odysseus, in an attempt to keep the Achaeans from fleeing to the ships as Agamemnon had ordered as a test, relieved him [(Agamemnon)] of his fathers royal scepter. (Iliad, 2.215) This may not seem too shocking today, but in Homeric times the kings scepter was the symbol of his authority and this particular scepter can trace its history from Hephaestus to Zeus to Hermes to Atreus to Agamemnon. This scepter represents the greatness of Agamemnon and the house of Atreus by taking it Odysseus claims temporary power of kingship by right of his competence. Indeed, just as Agamemnon called the troops to assembly raising high in hand the scepter, (Iliad, 2.118) Odysseus stood there, scepter in hand, (Iliad, 2.226) with Athena quieting the troops for him after they cheered Thersites defeat, a mark of fa vor she had not done for Agamemnon. In this way, Odysseus is portrayed as almost kingly as a result of his virtue in terms that must have seemed obvious to Homers audience.Thersites failure at overcoming Agamemnons will in argument does not mean that rank is unassailable. Later in the epic when the Trojans are pressing hard against the ships and Agamemnon counsels retreat (Iliad, 14.91-99), Odysseus successfully rebukes Agamemnon, taking up words against the great king. His argument hinges on two propositions: that Agamemnons conduct does not befit a man of his rank, and that a retreat would be disastrous. Making the first point, Odysseus chooses the same construction he used against Thersites and tells Agamemnon, referring to his counsel, You are the disaster[, and not the Trojan assault]. (Iliad, 14.102, italics in original) Odysseus emphasizes the gross indecency of a man of Agamemnons stature proposing such a disastrous plan, saying:Quiet! / What if one of the men gets wind of your brave plan? / No one should ever let such nonsense pass his lips, / no one with any skill in fit and proper speech / and least of all yourself, a sceptered king. (Iliad, 14.110-114, my emphasis)How it must cut Agamemnon to the quick that his plan should fill me [(Odysseus)] with contempt! (Iliad, 14.117) Odysseus is careful not to heap too much direct abuse on the head of Agamemnon out of respect, choosing to make only the few pointed remarks mentioned above. Odysseus also finishes the argument with his second, pragmatic point: the soldiers who have to be left behind until the next day, seeing that their comrades have left, will break into a rout and commander of armies, your plan will kill us all! (Iliad, 14.123-127) In this way cunning Odysseus, having wheeled on his commander, (Iliad, 14.100) gives Agamemnon an honorable reason to back down from his plan. If Agamemnon concedes that his plan was foolish he loses some face, but it is less than if he were to lead the ar my to ruin. Odysseus words win the day, saving the Achaeans.The story of the Iliad is, in large part, a story of rank. Men are always trying to live up to or exceed the honor and virtue expected of them by reason of the rank originally derived from their parentage. Diomedes, for example, is spurred to his great prowess in battle after Agamemnon chides him for not living up to his fathers warrior reputation. Odysseus makes a truly great name for himself as he exhibits his virtue and cunning. Feats of rank such as using Agamemnons scepter, putting Thersites in his place, and convincing Agamemnon not to flee are by no means typical of Homeric heroes; however, they serve to illustrate the currency of virtue and deeds in the marketplace of rank. After his reprimand of Thersites, Homer suggests a glorious picture of Odysseus. This stocky man, shorter than Atreus son Agamemnon, (Iliad, 3.235) standing erect, Agamemnons god-given scepter in hand, whips a hushed assembly of soldiers i nto a war-frenzy as the majestic glory of gray-eyed Athena rises from behind him: this is the quintessence of rank, the paragon of authority wielded by dint of a mans personal excellence, a heros aret.