ENGLISH 9A
IMPINK
THE ODYSSEY
Name__________________________________
YOUR PERSONAL ODYSSEY PROJECT
The dictionary defines the word “odyssey” as “a long adventurous voyage or trip.” If you think about
it, your life so far has been an odyssey. The journey of Odysseus has been called a metaphor for life.
In other words, as each of us travels through life, we will experience problems, adventures, and
discoveries, just as Odysseus did.
The following references to The Odyssey give you some ideas for writing your own journey journal.
Start by choosing five topics that interest you and that you can relate to. Then, write a short journal
entry describing Odysseus’ experience from the poem with that particular life obstacle (1-2
paragraphs). Follow this entry by writing a personal journal entry comparing your experience to
Odysseus’ experience with that life obstacle (2-3 paragraphs). Make sure to identify any “mentors”
that helped you along the way
Presentation: Be creative and show your VOICE in your personal journal entries. Your journal should
be typed and should also include some visual images, either hand drawn, printed from the
computer, or cut from a magazine that relate to your entries. Also, please label the categories in
your journal (at the top of the page) as they appear on this instruction sheet.
TOPICS TO CHOOSE FROM
Farewell to Ithaca: Describe how Odysseus feels being away from home as we read in Book 5, 7, and
8 on Calypso’s island and while he is on the island of Phaeacia
-Describe your feelings about a time you left someplace or someone that you would miss terribly.
The Lotus Eaters: Briefly describe Odysseus’ encounter with the Lotus (Lotos) Eaters in Book 9
Describe one of the strangest things you have ever seen or experienced.
Cyclops Cave: Describe Odysseus’ cunningness in this book (9)
Describe a narrow escape or a close call you have had.
Circe’s Advice: Describe Odysseus’ experience on Circe’s island, especially the advice he receives
(Book 10)
Describe the best piece of advice that anyone has ever given you.
Down to Hades: Describe Odysseus’ experience in Hades including the people he speaks to (Book11)
If you could speak to one person who is dead whom would you choose and what questions would
you ask?
The Sirens: Describe Odysseus’ encounter with the tempting sirens (Book 12)
Describe the greatest temptation you have ever faced.
Scylla and Charybdis: Describe Odysseus’ experience facing these two monsters. (Book 12)
Describe the hardest decision you have ever had to make.
ENGLISH 9A
IMPINK
THE ODYSSEY
Name__________________________________
Topics continue on the back…
Calypso’s Island: Describe Odysseus’ time on the island of Calypso (Book 5)
Describe a time when you felt trapped and couldn’t get to where you wanted to go.
Penelope: Describe Penelope’s efforts to remain loyal to Odysseus
Describe the most loyal person you have ever known.
Defeat of the Suitors: Describe Odysseus’ encounter with the suitors (Books 18, 19, 21, and 22)
Describe a situation in which the odds were against you, but you managed to win or come out on
top anyway.
YOU WILL BE GRADED ON THE FOLLOWING:
1. ORGANIZATION AND NEATNESS (15 points)
a. Your journal entries are typed or neatly hand written in pen and pages are numbered
b. You have an entry about Odysseus’ experience immediately followed by your own experience
c. Your entries follow a logical order based on the order of adventures in The Odyssey
2. PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE (30 points)
a. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence
b. Each paragraph should have detailed supporting sentences
c. Each paragraph should have at least 5-7 sentences
d. Odysseus’ entry at least one full paragraph; Personal entry at least two full paragraphs
3. CONVENTIONS (20 points)
a. Paragraphs should be free of spelling, capitalization and punctuation errors
b. Paragraphs should be free of run-on’s and sentence fragments
c. Paragraphs should use consistent verb tense
d. Paragraphs should use proper subject-verb agreement
4. VOICE (15 points)
a. Your personal journal entries should use description and strong verbs that display your personality.
(In other words, you should writing the way you would normal voice your opinion verbally)
b. Entries should not be “flat,” but should reflect the situation/experience you are writing about. (ie. If
you were terrified in the experience, your writing should showcase that fear)
5. THOUGHT/EFFORT/COMPLETTION (20 points)
a. Each paragraph should be detailed and complete
b. All entries must be completed (10 total)
c. Each entry must illustrate effort and thought
Total 100 points