Oedipus Final Essay: Definition Essay/Literary Analysis
Prompt: Explain how the drama Oedipus IS a tragedy according to Aristotle’s definition. You must use the text of
Oedipus AND Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero (see your Oedipus background notes) as the basis of your argument,
and your must provide evidence from the text (quotations!) to support your claim.
Requirements
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5-paragraph essay
Follows definition essay format
Must include 3 quotations from the text (1 per body paragraph) to support your claim
MLA format with in-text citations for the quotations used
MUST BE TYPED - Arial or Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced
Rough Draft Due for Peer Editing (should be typed!):
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Final Essay Due for Grading:
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Definition Essay Format
1. Introduction
a. In the (type of text) (title of text) by (author of text), (character) (sum up main point relating to the
prompt).
i. Example: In the tragedy Oedipus by Sophocles, Oedipus learns that he unknowingly killed his
father and married his mother.
b. Background of text; include information about Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero
c. Explanation/Elaboration
d. Thesis Statement: Answer the main question of the prompt: How is Oedipus a tragedy according to
Aristotle’s definition?
2. Body Paragraph #1
a. T – Topic Sentence: 1st reason; use transition (Example: First of all, Oedipus is a tragedy because…)
b. B – Bridge Sentence: connect your topic sentence to your evidence
c. E – Evidence: Quotation from text; be sure to introduce the quote and its context and cite
d. E – Explanation: Explain how the quote connects to the topic and your thesis; connect the quote to
Aristotle’s definition
e. C – Concluding Sentence
3. Body Paragraph #2
a. T – Topic Sentence: 2nd reason; use transition
b. B - Bridge Sentence: connect your topic sentence to your evidence
c. E – Evidence: Quotation from text; be sure to introduce the quote and its context and cite
d. E – Explanation: Explain how the quote connects to the topic and your thesis; connect the quote to
Aristotle’s definition
e. C - Concluding Sentence
4. Body Paragraph #3
a. T – Topic Sentence: 3rd reason; use transition
b. B - Bridge Sentence: connect your topic sentence to your evidence
c. E – Evidence: Quotation from text; be sure to introduce the quote and its context and cite
d. E – Explanation: Explain how the quote connects to the topic and your thesis; connect the quote to
Aristotle’s definition
e. C - Concluding Sentence
5. Conclusion Paragraph
a. 5 sentences minimum
b. Restate your thesis in DIFFERENT WORDS
c. Bring your essay “full circle”
d. Make final connection
e. NO NEW INFORMATION OR QUOTES
How is Oedipus a tragedy
according to Aristotle’s definition
and characteristics?
Now, you must tell me WHY it is a tragedy.
What three characteristics of Aristotle’s definition of a tragedy does the drama show?
Write them in your own words below.
1.
2.
3.
Prove each one with a quote from the text.
Quote 1 w/ citation:
Thesis Statement:
Quote 2 w/ citation:
Quote 3 w/ citation: