Name_____________________________ Period____ Date Due____________
BEOWULF ESSAY:
CHARACTERISTICS OF ARCHETYPAL EPIC HERO
INSTRUCTIONS: You will:
write a five to ten paragraph essay.
organize your essay properly.
follow the steps in the writing process by using graphic
organizers.
type your final draft according to “Clearfield High School
Writing Standards.” See separate handout.
use time wisely in class and cheerfully turn in your essay on time!
Characteristics of an epic hero
An epic hero:
1. is significant and glorified
2. is on a quest
3. has superior or superhuman strength, intelligence, and/or courage
4. is ethical
5. risks death for glory or for the greater good of society
6. is a strong and responsible leader
7. performs brave deeds
8. reflects the ideals of a particular society (For Beowulf, it is Anglo-Saxon.)
WRITING PROMPT:
Write an essay explaining how Beowulf demonstrates the characteristics of an epic
hero. Choose three to eight characteristics. Give specific examples from the
three battle scenes: the battle with Grendel, the battle with Grendel’s mother,
and the battle with the dragon.
You will receive points for all steps of the writing process. Before turning in your final draft,
please staple the rubric on top.
PRE-WRITING
STEP ONE: (8 points) Analyze the writing prompt and fill in this box.
P
Purpose: describe, persuade, inform,
narrate, entertain, etc.
A
Audience: Who will read your essay?
S
Subject: What is the topic? Think of your
thesis statement.
S
Structure: poem, letter, essay, etc.
STEP TWO: (24 points) To organize your thinking and gather support for your
details, fill in this graphic organizer with specific examples from Beowulf. Then,
star the characteristics (three minimum) for which you can write the best
descriptions. Write numbers to the side to show which are strongest arguments.
Characteristic of
(warrior)
(warrior)
(king)
an Epic Character
Battle with
Battle with
Battle with the
(Beowulf)
Grendel
Grendel’s Mother
Dragon
Is significant and
glorified
Is on a quest
Has superior or
superhuman
strength,
intelligence, and/or
courage
Is ethical (chooses
right or good over
wrong or evil)
Risks death for
glory or for the
greater good of
society
Is a strong and
responsible leader
Performs brave
deeds
Reflects the ideals
of a particular
society (AngloSaxon values and
beliefs
STEP THREE: (30 points) Outline traditionally or with a web. Do one.
Outline
I.
II.
Introduction.
Hook and background information.
Thesis statement: _____________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Body. Characteristic 1. _____________________________________
Examples from story
a.
b.
c.
III.
Body. Characteristic 2. _____________________________________
Examples from story
a.
b.
c.
IV.
Body. Characteristic 3. _____________________________________
Examples from story
a.
b.
c.
You can add additional body paragraphs here.
V.
Conclusion. Wrap up. Refer to thesis again.
Web
characteristic
characteristic
BEOWULF: Epic
hero
characteristic
characteristic
IMPORTANT: From EACH characteristic box, there are three lines branching
out. List three different examples for each characteristic at the end of each
line.
Drafting
STEP FOUR: (25 points) Write your introduction.
Hook: This is a catchy sentence such as a question, quotation, anecdote, insightful
statement, definition, fact or figure, or reference to a famous person. It’s
purpose is to entice your reader to read on.
Background Information: What does your reader need to know so he or she can
understand your thesis statement and the content of your essay? Your teacher
suggests writing two to four sentences.
Thesis statement: This is the main idea of the essay and is usually one sentence.
It is a restatement of subject of the writing prompt explaining your reasons or
details in the order you will write about them in your essay.
A two-sentence example: Beowulf exemplifies the archetypal epic hero in three
ways. His characteristics show that he is significant and glorified, is on a quest,
and has superior or superhuman strength.
STEP FIVE: (50 points) Write the rough draft of your essay in pencil. Use the
space below to get started and continue on lined paper. (Your teacher may have
you use blue, green, yellow, and red color paper instead.)
Self-Edit
STEP SIX: (25 points) Self-edit your rough draft in the following ways.
Questions
Do This
Changes you made
1. Does the introduction have a hook
that catches the reader’s attention?
2. Does the introduction include
background information?
3. Is there a thesis statement in
the introduction? Does it contain
the subject (Beowulf is an epic
character) and the characteristics
(at least three)?
4. Does your first body paragraph
contain a general topic sentence
listing the characteristic? Does
your topic sentence contain a
transitional word or phrase? Do you
give sufficient explanation,
elaboration, and/or examples?
5. Does your second body
paragraph contain a general topic
sentence listing the characteristic?
Does your topic sentence contain a
transitional word or phrase? Do you
give sufficient explanation,
elaboration, and/or examples?
6. Does your second body
paragraph contain a general topic
sentence listing the characteristic?
Does your topic sentence contain a
transitional word or phrase? Do you
give sufficient explanation,
elaboration, and/or examples?
7. Does your conclusion refer back
to the thesis?
8. Recheck the order of
characteristics. Are the
characteristics listed in the same
order in your thesis and body
paragraphs?
Circle the hook
Draw a box around the
background information
Underline the thesis
statement
Number the
characteristics
Star the topic sentence
listing the
characteristic
Draw a box around the
examples, elaboration,
and explanation
Circle the transition
word or phrase
Star the topic sentence
listing the
characteristic
Draw a box around the
examples, elaboration,
and explanation
Circle the transition
word or phrase
Star the topic sentence
listing the
characteristic
Draw a box around the
examples, elaboration,
and explanation
Circle the transition
word or phrase
Underline the thesis
Number the
characteristics in your
body paragraphs
Number the
characteristics in your
conclusions
If the order is not 1-23, 1-2-3, 1-2-3,
reorganize
STEP SIX: (25 points) Peer edit. Exchange papers and have someone read and
evaluate your writing. Editing MUST be done before the final draft!
Peer Edit
Peer editor’s signature__________________________________________
Date__________________________
1. First, check yes or no to answer questions during and after reading the
student’s rough draft.
Yes No
Questions
Does the first sentence of the introduction have a catchy hook that makes
you want to read on?
Does the writer give sufficient background information in the introduction?
Does the thesis statement tell you (1) that Beowulf is an archetypal epic
character, and (2) list three or more characteristics?
Does the first body paragraph have a topic sentence that states one of
Beowulf’s epic characteristics?
Does the first body paragraph start off with a transitional word or phrase
(such as first, second, next, another, finally)?
Does the first body have sufficient explanation, examples, or elaboration?
(Several sentences)
Does the second body paragraph have a topic sentence that states one of
Beowulf’s epic characteristics?
Does the second body paragraph start off with a transitional word or phrase
(such as first, second, next, another, finally)?
Does the second body have sufficient explanation, examples, or
elaboration? (Several sentences)
Does the third body paragraph have a topic sentence that states one of
Beowulf’s epic characteristics?
Does the third body paragraph start off with a transitional word or phrase
(such as first, second, next, another, finally)?
Does the third body have sufficient explanation, examples, or elaboration?
(Several sentences)
Does the conclusion wrap up the essay without giving new characteristics or
information?
Does the conclusion restate the thesis statement in a different way (by
explaining that Beowulf is an epic hero and listing his characteristics)?
Are the characteristics in the same order in the introduction, body
paragraphs, and conclusion?
2. Correct punctuation, spelling, grammar, and other obvious errors.
Name____________________________ Period _____ Date______Score ___ / 200
Please staple this rubric to the top of your final draft. Your teacher will grade it.
RUBRIC: BEOWULF’S HEROIC CHARACTERISTICS
Points
possible
Requirements
if
missing
TITLE
• Conveys main idea; aligned and capitalized properly
INTRODUCTION
• Has a catchy hook (lead) to draw reader into essay
• Gives pertinent and sufficient background information
• Has a clear thesis statement that states that Beowulf is
an archetypical epic hero and lists three or more heroic
characteristics in the order they will be presented in
the essay
BODY PARAGRAPH #1
• Has a clear topic sentence stating first characteristic
• Transitional word or phrase signals the topic sentence
• Sufficient supporting explanations, elaboration, and/or
examples from Beowulf’s battle stories (at least three)
BODY PARAGRAPH #2
• Has a clear topic sentence stating second characteristic
• Transitional word or phrase signals the topic sentence
• Sufficient supporting explanations, elaboration, and/or
examples from Beowulf’s battle stories (at least three)
BODY PARAGRAPH #3
• Has a clear topic sentence stating third characteristic
• Transitional word or phrase signals the topic sentence
• Sufficient supporting explanations, elaboration, and/or
examples from Beowulf’s battle stories (at least three)
CONCLUSION
• Summarize and wrap up; no new ideas
• Restate thesis statement with three characteristics
PRESENTATION AND CONVENTIONS
• Typed; follows CHS writing standards; looks professional
• Few errors such as spelling, punctuation, grammatical
Total Possible:
5
5
10
10
10
5
10+10+10
10
5
10+10+10
10
5
10+10+10
5
10
10
10
200
What you did well.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
What you can improve.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Clearfield High School Standards
for Written and Typed Work
Heading
On all assignments, include your heading (precisely as shown below) in the upper left
corner on the first page with the title of your assignment centered on the top line.
Your first and last name
Teacher’s Name
Class Period
Due Date
Title of Your Assignment
On all other pages, write your last name and page number (numeral only) in the upper
right corner as shown below.
Your last name
Page Number
Final Drafts: Handwritten Work
• Use black or dark blue pens; no pencils, no gel pens, no fluorescents, no pastels.
• Use full-size 8 ½” X 11” white, lined paper; wide or college rule.
• Write on every other line.
• If you make a mistake, cross it out with one line; do not scribble out the mistake.
Final Drafts: Typed Work
• Use one-inch margins.
• Double space.
• Use only 12 point Times New Roman font.
• Use 8 ½” X 11” white paper.
Other Requirements for All Final Draft Work
• Multiple papers should be stapled once in the upper left corner.
• No covers and no page protectors (unless the teacher’s instructions require them).
• Make sure the paper is neat and in good condition; do not turn in a paper with stains,
folds, or tears.
• Avoid contractions and slang in formal essays or reports.
• Write in a style appropriate to the established purpose: creative or formal.
• Write or type on only one side of the paper.