Odyssey Thesis Paper Tutorial
Regular paper prompt- : The concept of a hero has
been interpreted in many ways throughout the ages.
One literary hero who seems to stand the test of time is
Odysseus. In an organized essay, write about two of
Odysseus's traits that, you feel, make him a hero.
Character
Trait 1
Trait 2
Odysseus
List of Adjectives
Heroic
Intelligent
Deceptive
Strong
Wise
Loyalty
Determined
Pride
Leadership
Your Essay Outline:
1
Introduction = Hook, introduce Title of epic plus author. Write a 2
sentence summary and then, write Thesis Statement (Give 3
changes within the character of your choice.)
Body P 1:
1st Character
trait.
Body P 2:
2nd Character
trait.
5
Conclusion
Introduction Paragraph
Checklist
Introduction Paragraph
Attention Getter
Title of work and author (topic sentence)
Brief summary of the work.
Thesis statement
Introduction is at least 4 to 6 sentences
Strategies for Composing
Hooks or Opening
Statements:




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Use a vivid quotation
Create a visual image that represents your subject
Create an analogy for your subject
Offer a surprising/interesting statistic or other fact
State an opinion related to your thesis
Ask a question or define a word central to your subject
(Note= Use these techniques very sparingly and
cautiously, as they may be considered cliché)
Topic Sentence & summary
(title, author, summary)

The Giver, by Lois Lowry is a story about a
boy who begins to question the world
around him; and when he does he learns
that nothing in his world is what it seems.

“The Tell-tale Heart”, by Edgar Allen Poe is
a story about a criminal who’s guilt
becomes so great that he eventually goes
mad and turns himself in.
“The Odyssey, ” by Homer is an
epic poem about….
What is a Thesis Statement? A thesis
statement is an argument or a hypothesis, the
“main” point of your work; an unproved
statement, especially one serving as a
foundation in a paper or project. It is typically
the last or second to last sentence of your
introduction.
Functions and Purposes of a Thesis Statement.
• To announce the topic to the reader
• To reflect a judgment about the topic
• To provide the reader with a blueprint for what
is to come in the paper
An Example Paragraph:

The Odyssey, by Homer is an epic poem about a
hero’s perilous ten year journey home after the
Trojan war. There are several character traits that
make Odysseus an ideal hero. Through Odysseus
Homer teaches us what a true hero should be like
by contrasting Odysseus with his men.
Thesis =
 Unlike his men, Odysseus for
example is loyal, determined
and intelligent.
Thesis Statement Examples
Thesis Statement
Critique
Odysseus has many personality traits that
show up multiple times throughout this
book, including cleverness, self restraint,
and bravery.
What do cleverness, self restraint and
bravery earn O? Why are they
significant? Take this nice structure
beyond observation to analysis...
Stories are told about heroes to inspire
people to reach beyond their potentials.
Odysseus the hero of The Odyssey inspires
readers mainly through his heroic traits of
refusing temptation, using intelligence over
strength, and staying loyal to his wife.
A solid statement! However body
paragraphs 1 and 3 (refusing
temptation and staying loyal) are too
similar. Choose a different third
argument.
Odysseus, on the contrary to many popular
readings should not be considered a hero
because his pride inevitabally costs him his
crew, almost compromises his relationship
with his wife and almost costs him his own
life.
This sounds like a strong argument in
the making, but this is very wordy. Split
this sentence up and reword it for
clarity.
Focus
Outline for Your Thesis Paper
1
Introduction/ Thesis Paragraph: Where you state
background info, and give a thesis statement.
EX–-Unlike
his men, Odysseus for example is
loyal, determined and intelligent.
2
Body Paragraph 1: Loyal
3
Body Paragraph 2: Determined
4
Body Paragraph 3: Intelligent
5
Conclusion Paragraph:
Body Paragraph
Checklist
Body Paragraphs 1-3
Restatement of part of thesis
Set up Quote ----with speaker
(character/narrator) and occasion (context, or
what’s happening in the plot
Give quote
Explain Quote: Follow up a quote with at least
two sentences of commentary and analysis
before moving on to the next supporting detail.
Sentence
Type
Body paragraph # 1
Topic
Sentence
One way Odysseus differs from his men is through
his acts of loyalty.
Set up quote
In the beginning of the epic the reader finds
Odysseus on the goddess Calypso’s island.
Calypso tries to offer Odysseus immortality to
stay with her, but he refuses because he
loves his wife.
Give Quote
Calypso out of jealousy questions Odysseus’
love for his wife saying, “Can I be less
desirable than she is? Less interesting? Less
beautiful?” (Homer 109-110).
The reader can infer Odysseus’ loyalty to his
wife in the fact that Calypso is practically
begging Odysseus to stay with her.
Odysseus’ men fall for temptations like this
Explain
quote
Conclusion Checklist:
Conclusion
Restate Thesis
Borrow information and points made from
paragraphs
End with final thoughts or a quote explaining
the chorus or societal views.
Conclusion Strategies Checklist:

Give a symbolic or powerful fact/detail

Create an analogy that relates your topic to a larger
implication

Give an especially compelling example

Use a meaningful quotation

Recommend a course of action

Echo the approach/language of the introduction

Reference and make meaning of the title of the work you are
analyzing