English 12, McCarthy
Kennedy High School
Essay Assignment: Archetypes in Beowulf
Assignment Description: Archetypes are pervasive in the epic
poem Beowulf. These archetypes can be connected to other
literature across cultures and through centuries. The existence and
use of these archetypes helps us understand humanity across time
and cultures. In a five-paragraph essay, answer this question:
What are three archetypes in Beowulf, and what
does each of these archetypes reveal to us about
humanity.
For each of your examples: cite it in the text, prove that is an
archetype, and make commentary about what it reveals to us about
humanity. Your essay must fulfill the requirements listed below.
Purpose: The purpose of this essay is for you to demonstrate
your ability to identify archetypes in a text and connect them to
other literature. (R 3.6) It is also an opportunity for you to
demonstrate basic essay writing skills. (WR 1.0, WR 1.1)
Requirements:
Introduction Paragraph: Your first paragraph must be an introduction. You should give a brief synopsis
of the story. Your introduction must define the term “archetype”. This introduction must use a thesis
statement; this thesis should answer the question in the assignment description (it’s ok if it is 2-3 sentences
long).
Body Paragraphs: Each of your three archetype examples will the topic of your three body paragraphs
respectively. For each of example, you must:
introduce the archetype example
quote a passage of text from the poem that illustrates the archetype in the poem1 (concrete
detail)
explain how that passage acts as an illustration of the archetype in the poem
give commentary about where, in other pieces of literature, this archetype can be found—
proving that this a pattern in literature across cultures and time periods
give commentary about what the use/existence of this archetype tells us about humanity
Conclusion paragraph: Your last paragraph will be a conclusion. Restate your thesis in a new way. Also
answer the question “So what?” Discuss why the ideas in your essay matter to the world.
Form and Notes:
Please hand this essay in typed, double-spaced and in 12pt font2
Please do not use a huge font—you are being evaluated based on the quality of your writing, not on the quantity of paper
you waste.
Fill out the title and heading just like you normally do for this class. Do not use a cover page.
Pay attention to the rubric provided (on the back) and use it to your advantage when writing, revising and editing your
essay
1
When quoting text, put quotation marks around the text and put line numbers in parentheses after it—
example: “text” (lines 23-24).
2
If you are going to have a problem typing this essay, please see me so we can make other arrangements
English 12—Kennedy HS
McCarthy 2011
Name:
Date:
Rubric for scoring Essay Assignment: Archetypes in Beowulf
Criteria
Format: Essay is typed, double-spaced and uses 12pt font, name/date/per# are in top
left corner
Score (1-10)
Citations: Passages of text are properly quoted and cited
Grammar Focus: Essay is free of sentence fragments
Length: Essay is written in five paragraphs (at least… you can do more!)
Introduction Paragraph (paragraph 1): Essay has an introduction paragraph: the
paragraph gives a brief synopsis of the story, defines “archetype” and uses a thesis
statement that answers the question, “What are three archetypes in Beowulf, and what does
each of these archetypes reveal to us about humanity.”
Body paragraph (paragraph 2): introduces your example, quotes a passage from the
text, explains the example as an archetype, and give commentary about what the
use/existence of this archetype tells us about humanity
Body paragraph (paragraph 3): introduces your example, quotes a passage from the
text, explains the example as an archetype, and give commentary about what the
use/existence of this archetype tells us about humanity
Body paragraph (paragraph 4): introduces your example, quotes a passage from the
text, explains the example as an archetype, and give commentary about what the
use/existence of this archetype tells us about humanity
Conclusion Paragraph (paragraph 5): Essay has a conclusion paragraph: the
paragraph restates the thesis and answers the question “So what?” It generalizes the
significance of the main idea of the essay.
Example Choices: Body Paragraphs use examples of archetypes that demonstrate the
student’s mastery of the “archetype” concept.
Total
/100