I have been asked to write a short 2 page essay for my Ancient Philosophy class. I am to base it off of the follwoing questions and criteria.
You are Crito visiting with Socrates in prison. What advice do you give? Should he let Athens take his life or escape? What harm (injustice) will be done (if any) if he disobeys the Athenian law and the sentence handed down to him? Will any good (justice) come of his death? What is best for him? What is best for Athens? Why? If what is best for Athens is different from what is best for him, which should he choose? Why?
While this will involve you providing some reasons, it isn't meant to be a formal argumentative paper, more like an extended discussion post. Start by just recapping the arguments Socrates provides in the Crito. Why does he say he should not escape? Then just say what you think of those reasons and answer the questions posed. So, the overall form should be "Socrates said this, but I think he's (right/wrong) because...."
Most importantly, feel free to use some imagination. Socrates really died because of his decision. This was real. Pretend your writing to someone you actually care about (but someone who will only be swayed by reason, not by "don't go because I care". Look at how far that got poor Crito!).