AP English IV
Major Composition 1—Beowulf/Grendel
Due Dates:
B Period:
 Outline and thesis due – 9/29/15
 Rough draft due – 10/1/15
 Final draft due – 10/5/15
 Turnitin.com – 10/5/15 @ 11:59 PM
F Period:
 Outline and thesis due – 9/30/15
 Rough draft due – 10/2/15
 Final draft due – 10/6/15
 Turnitin.com – 10/6/15 @ 11:59 PM
Select one of the topics below and develop it into a 5-7 paragraph researched paper that includes a funnel introduction and
inverted funnel conclusion. For questions concerning MLA format, refer to the Purdue online writing lab’s 2009 MLA
formatting guide at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ . You must use and quote from at least TWO outside ACADEMIC sources
that offer critical commentary on your topic. DO NOT USE SITES SUCH AS SPARKNOTES, CLIFF NOTES, ETC.
Requirements:
 No title page; place your heading on the first page of your paper using MLA format.
 Five paragraphs to include a funnel introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and an inverted funnel conclusion (follow
the Jane Shaffer & writing guidelines handouts).
 Introduction & conclusion paragraphs must be a minimum of 5 sentences
 Each BODY paragraph must be 8-11 sentences.
 Each BODY paragraph must quote directly from the Beowulf/Grendel excerpts
 Embed your quotations; never use a “stand-alone” quotation; always use a transition (when appropriate), a leadin, and commentary.
 Use external (between body paragraphs) and internal (between sentences) transitions.
 Do NOT use weak words; e.g., very, really, a lot, get, pretty, etc.
 Use the Literary Present tense (do not use past tense).
 Use ACTIVE not PASSIVE voice for the MAIN verb of the sentence; avoid to be verbs.
 DO NOT PLAGIARIZE! When you use an outside source, cite it in a parenthetical reference and include a works
cited page.
 Any paper turned in late (no hard copy or not in to turnitin.com) will lose 10% of its final grade per school day
that it is not turned in.
 This is a major writing assignment and will be given a test grade.
1. Using the excerpts from Beowulf and Grendel, analyze how point of view alters our perspective in the telling and retelling
of the Beowulf tale. Your analysis should include a comparison/contrast of 3 significant parts of Beowulf to Grendel.
Include direct quotations to passages from the excerpts to support your response.
2. John Gardner said he “wanted to go through the main ideas of Western Civilization…and go through them in the voice of
the monster, with the story already taken care of, with the various philosophical attitudes, and see what I could do.”
Analyze how Gardner’s use of “isms” contributes to his theme in Grendel.
3. Gardner uses several rhetorical devices in Grendel, including alliteration, consonance, personification, simile, and
metaphor. Analyze how Gardner’s stylistic choices contribute to his theme. How do these devices convey and
contribute to his purpose (yes, this means you must identify his purpose!).