Nagel
E102
Name:________________________
Odysseus’ Leadership Essay: Topic Sentences and Linking Statements
Remember, your thesis argument was either that Odysseus was an effective or ineffective leader.
Topic Sentences: The following topic sentences need your help. Rewrite them to make them better.
1. When the crew is stuck in the Cyclops cave, Odysseus decides to come up with a plan to escape.
2. A good example of Odysseus being an effective leader is when three of his men fall victim to the
lotus plant.
3. During his long journey, Odysseus helps his men escape monsters, like when he gets to Scylla and
Charybdis.
Ending with a link to the thesis: Using the paragraph given, create a sentence that links the main
idea in this paragraph back to the thesis statement.
Example paragraph:
One of Odysseus’ problems as a leader is he has no control over his men. In the
Cattle of the Sun God, Odysseus even says his men, “Old shipmates, our stores are in the
ship’s hold, food and drink; the cattle here are not for our provision or we pay dearly for it”
(12. 853-856). In this quote, although Odysseus is warning his men to stay away from the
cattle, it obviously has no effect on his men. The crew disregards any of Odysseus’ orders,
and they choose to kill and eat the cows anyway. Because they kill the cows, Helios seeks
revenge and Zeus kills them with a lightning bolt.
LINK:______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Example paragraph:
Odysseus shows that is he is an intelligent leader in many ways. Homer presents
this quality in the Cyclops section, where Odysseus tricks and outsmarts the Cyclops. In the
story Odysseus tells the Cyclops, “My name is Nohbdy: mother, father, friends, everyone
calls me Nohbdy” (5.360-361). Odysseus is strategic here because he knows not to reveal
his identity. Creating this fake name will also prevent the Cyclops from receiving any help
because the other Cyclopes will believe “nobody” has harmed him. Eventually, the crew is
able to escape the Cyclops.
LINK:______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
General Typos
1. Finally, is when Odysseus thinks of a plan to persuade Calypso to let him leave.
2. One of those situations occurred when Odysseus has to escape from the Cyclops.
3. The reader can see the way Odysseus takes charge. Like when he forces his men back onto the boat
in the Lotus Eaters section.
4. Odysseus shows that he is a great leader because his men look up to him because he always knows
how to get them out of dangerous situations.
5. You can tell that Odysseus is being strategic in this example.
6. Odysseus curiosity drives him to listen to the sirens.
7. Odysseus says,” but as I sent them onward to Scylla I told them nothing, as they could do nothing”
(12. 790-791).
8. The Odyssey by Homer is an epic in which a leader with all kinds of skills.
9. In the story, it says “better mourn six men than lose them all” (citation).
10. My first example that shows Odysseus’ poor leadership is the fact that he is too prideful.