Name ______________________
English 9/The Odyssey
Assignment: Please write a well-developed, 5 paragraph essay that proves an original thesis
statement. Choose a topic from the list below.
Topics:
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Hierarchy (God, Human, Animal)
Any of the concepts
Has Odysseus Changed?
Compare/Contrast with Gilgamesh (epic hero)
Others?
You want to be sure that your thesis is arguable. The following structure will ensure that you
have an argument:
Concession/Assertion: Although you may think _______________, _______________ is
actually true. You will present the concession in the first body paragraph. For example: It may
seem as though Odysseus is animal like. Then you will prove what is really true, in the next 2
paragraphs (one of which you have already written). For example: In reality, Odysseus is
actually god-like. A concession/ assertion thesis statement allows you to acknowledge one side
of an argument and then prove a different one.
Guidelines:
Introduction: Should move from the general to the specific.
a. Catchy and relevant opening. (How will you draw your reader into your essay?) No
questions.
b. Background information (genre, author, title, brief plot summary)
c. Clarify/Spin important thesis terms (prepare your reader to understand the thesis and
essay the way you want her/him to)
d. Thesis: The most important sentence in your paper.
Arguable/debatable:
Dividable:
Can be broken into sub-topics. What are the sub-topics?
Understandable:
Provable:
Short:
(Concession/Assertion) What is the argument?
Is the thesis clear? Does it make sense?
Can be supported with textual evidence (examples and quotes).
The thesis should be one sentence.
Body Paragraph #1: (Please continue to follow the format we have been using)
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Topic sentence – Main idea of this subtopic (Concession)
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Quote set up
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Quote (including lead in and citation)
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Analysis (consider figurative language and the concepts): integrate these ideas. How is
Homer using language to create meaning?
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Transition – this sentence should form a connection between this paragraph and the
next.
Body Paragraph #2:
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Topic Sentence – First Assertion – main idea of this subtopic
Quote set up
Quote
Analysis
Transition
Body Paragraph #3:
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Topic Sentence – Second Assertion (this should be the strongest point and example you
have)
Quote set up
Quote
Analysis
Concluding statement (summary)
Conclusion: moves from the specific to the general.
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Recap the thesis.
Link your idea to another work we have read in the course. OR
Link your idea to a larger context. What does the text teach us about what it means to
be human?
Details:
* 1200-1500 words (Longer is not necessarily better). Be sure to edit effectively.
* Please submit to turnitin.
* Don’t forget a catchy title!
* Please proofread your paper.
* 100 points
* Due: ____________________________