PURPOSE: The supplemental readings and written essays are designed to accomplish two goals. 1. First, to gain an understanding of the specific historical information contained in the book. 2. Second, to increase skills in accurate written communication. WRITING YOUR ESSAY: Your essay should contain three parts: an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion. 1) Introduction: (one page or less) Generally, you would introduce your topic and then give a brief biography of the author. In the case of the Epic of Gilgamesh, the author is unknown. Instead, you may comment on the credentials of the translator (Sumaya, Shabandar) and the illustrator. (Rakan Dabdoub) Deal with only such information as is pertinent to their qualifications to work with this book. Consider, for example, their academic and professional experiences, the titles or subjects of other books they have published, each one’s specialty or historical interest, the period in which the book was written,