ENG I Honors
Mr. Davis
Name:______________________________________________
Date:_______________________________________________
The Odyssey Translations 1 Paragraph Response (25 Points)
Directions: for the following prompt, write a fully developed, minimum eight-sentence paragraph that provides
specific examples from the text to prove the argument.
Prompt:
Select ONE of the six passages from The Odyssey translation handout and focusing on just that passage, argue
which of the three translations is best. In your response, consider diction, syntax, and your
reading/understanding of the story (i.e. how you envision the event when reading it). Provide specific examples
from the text and specific words from the passage to help convey the argument.
Requirements:
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Topic Sentence (5 Points): Explains exactly what the paragraph is about, is clear and concise, and
contains all information that will be discussed in the paragraph.
Clincher Sentence (5 Points): Reiterates the point that you made in the paragraph and ties up all loose
ends. Also, contains a dependent clause at the beginning of the sentence by using one of the following
words: since, because, although, due to, if, as a result.
Content (10 Points): Effectively and thoroughly answers the question by providing specific, relevant
examples from the text that are well explained. Is consistent with the text and itself.
Conventions (2.5 Points): Spelling, grammar, punctuation, tone, etc. NO FIRST OR SECOND
PERSON PRONOUNS OR CONTRACTIONS!
Fluency (2.5 Points): sentence variety, flow, transitions, etc.
ENG I Honors
Mr. Davis
Topic Sentence
Clincher Sentence
Content
Conventions
(note: more than 6
errors will result in
more points taken
off)
Fluency
Name:______________________________________________
Date:_______________________________________________
0
Topic sentence may
be unclear or may
be missing most
elements of what
the paragraph is
about.
3
Has a topic
sentence that
explains what the
paragraph is going
to be about. May
be a bit too general.
4
Clincher sentence is
vague and does an
ineffective job of
summarizing the
paragraph. May
start a new topic or
thought.
Clincher sentence
summarizes the
paper but may not
tie up loose ends
and could be more
effective.
Clincher sentence is
effective at
summarizing the
paragraph and tying
up loose ends.
Does not contain a
dependent clause at
the beginning that
draws a conclusion
using one of the
discussed words.
9
Answers the
question
effectively.
Presented in a clear
fashion. May
contain a few
pieces of
unnecessary plot
summary. Provides
relevant examples
from the text that
are well-explained.
Paper is consistent
with text and
consistent with
itself.
2
Contains 1-2
spelling,
punctuation,
grammar, tone,
and/or style errors.
Contains few
contractions.
6
Does not answer
the question. Is
either off topic or
completely plot
summary. Does not
provide relevant
examples from the
text. Paper is not
consistent with text
and/or consistent
with itself.
7
Barely answers the
question because of
lack of clarity
and/or insufficient,
inaccurate, or
poorly explained
examples from the
text. Paper may not
be consistent with
the text and/or
consistent with
itself.
8
Answers the
questions.
Presented in a
mostly clear
fashion. May
contain a lot of
unnecessary plot
summary. Provides
examples from the
text that are
explained. Paper is
consistent with text
and consistent with
itself.
.5
Contains 6 or more
spelling,
punctuation,
grammar, tone,
and/or style errors.
Contains
contractions.
Contains personal
pronouns.
Sentences are not
well-structured and
poorly written. No
variety and no
transitions.
Paragraphs are not
structured
effectively and
contain more than
one idea per
paragraph.
1
Contains 5 spelling,
punctuation,
grammar, tone,
and/or style errors.
Contains
contractions.
1.5
Contains 3-4
spelling,
punctuation,
grammar, tone,
and/or style errors.
Contains
contractions.
Most sentences are
not well-structured
with little variety
and few transitions.
Paragraphs are not
structured
effectively and may
contain more than
one idea per
paragraph.
Some sentences are
well-constructed
with varied
structure and
transitions.
Paragraphs could
be more effectively
structured, but
usually contain
only one idea per
paragraph.
Most sentences are
well-constructed
with varied
structure and
transitions.
Paragraphs are
structured
effectively with one
idea per paragraph.
5
Has a clear and
concise topic
sentence that
effectively explains
EVERYTHING
that is contained in
the paragraph.
Clincher sentence is
extremely effective
at summarizing the
paragraph and tying
up loose ends.
Contains a
dependent clause at
the beginning of the
sentence that draws
a conclusion using
one of the discussed
words.
10
Answers the
question thoroughly
and effectively.
Presented in a clear
fashion. Does not
contain excessive,
unnecessary plot
summary. Provides
explicit and
relevant examples
from the text that
are well-explained.
Paper is consistent
with text and
consistent with
itself.
2.5
Free from spelling,
punctuation,
grammar, tone, and
style errors.
Contains no
contractions.
All sentences are
well-constructed
with varied
structure and
transitions.
Paragraphs are
structured
effectively with one
idea per paragraph.
ENG I Honors
Mr. Davis
Name:______________________________________________
Date:_______________________________________________