The Odyssey Compare/Contrast Essay
YATES 2011
Adapted from http://home.illicom.net/~sdunlavey/Odyssey%20compare_contrast%20essay.html
As the final assignment in our unit on The Odyssey, I would like you to write a compare/contrast essay
analyzing the similarities and differences between Homer's epic and the movie adaptation. Please focus
your analysis on how the filmmakers adapted their work from Homer's. You need to list both
similarities and differences, but really try to get down to the WHY of it all. WHY did he change certain
things? WHY were others lifted directly from the original text? HOW did the filmmakers adapt
Homer's vision of Odysseus’ hero’s journey to create their own Odysseus?
Please start with an attention-getting introduction including a thesis statement. Then organize your
argument around your thesis statement using a TBTY style format, putting like things together and being
sure to elaborate on your points. Finish with a conclusion that summarizes your argument, restates your
thesis, and provides a final thought.
Similarities
Differences
Why/ How
Directions: list specific examples of
similarities between the Odysseus’
journey in the text and Odysseus in the
movie version of the Odyssey
Choose 3 from your notes
Directions: list specific examples of
differences between the Odysseus’ journey
in the text and Odysseus in the movie
version of the Odyssey
Choose 3 from your notes
Directions: Explain why you think the director
created these similarities and differences.
Discuss your 6 similarities and differences here
1
4
1
2
3
2
5
4
5
3
6
6
This essay should be two to four pages in length, typed, and double-spaced. When you use specific
examples and citations from the book (and you should) please provide the page number in parentheses.
Be sure to proofread carefully!
Assignment rUBRIC
Poor (1)
Essay demonstrates
an incomplete writing
process: rough draft
and final draft
Fair (2)
Essay demonstrates the
some portions of the
writing process: typed
rough draft, final draft
Good 3)
Essay demonstrates most
sections of the writing
process: notes, graphic
organizer pre-write, typed
rough draft, and a final draft.
Thesis
Poor
Thesis neither states
position, nor does it
provide specific
points to be discussed
in the essay. OR
There is no
identifiable thesis.
Fair
Thesis states position,
but does not provide
specific points from the
text or film to be
compared or contrasted.
Good
Thesis states position and
provides specific points
from the text and film for
either comparison or
contrast, but not both.
Compare
Contrast
Poor
All of the
comparisons and
differences are not
supported by quotes
or discussion. OR All
comparisons and
contrasts are minor
details from the text
and film that do not
warrant much
discussion.
Fair
Some of the
comparisons and
differences are minor
details from the text that
are loosely connected to
quotes or discussion.
Good
Both comparisons and
contrasts go beyond the
obvious differences and
similarities between the text
and film. The essay has
either in-depth discussion or
quotes to support
comparisons and differences
Excellent
Both the comparisons
and contrasts go
beyond the obvious
differences and
similarities between the
text and film. Both indepth explanation and
quotes are used to
support comparisons
and differences.
Final Draft
Poor
Essay demonstrates
little knowledge of
the text and film and
provides no analysis.
The essay does not
provide adequate
development
although diff/sim. are
stated.
Fair
Essay demonstrates
some knowledge of the
text and film that
provides little analysis.
The points of
development and the
overall essay can be
better organized.
Good
Essay demonstrates a
general knowledge of the
text and film that provides
evidence of some analysis
that may lack depth. The
essay is organized in a
logical sequence.
Excellent
Essay demonstrates
knowledge of both the
film and the text that
provides evidence of
cogent analysis with
well-developed
paragraphs. The overall
essay is both well
organized and cohesive.
Writing Process
Excellent (4)
Essay demonstrates all
sections of the writing
process: notes, graphic
organizer pre-write,
typed rough draft with
teacher comments, and
a final draft.
Excellent
Thesis states position
and provides specific
points from the text and
film that will be
compared and
contrasted in the essay.