Carolyn Blanchard
4/25/11
LIT 515
Lisa Spereno
Content-Area Writing Assignment
Overview:
The following assignment will require students to have first read the epic poem
Beowulf. Throughout their reading of the text, students will be required to record
those characteristics that make an epic hero, epic. We will go over this as a class
to ensure that all students know what an epic hero is. At the end of our reading of
Beowulf, students will be asked to complete the following assignment, described
below.
Description:
Students will be asked to use their notes and create their own epic hero based on
those characteristics attributed with an epic hero that they have learned through
the reading of Beowulf. Once they have created this epic hero (brainstorm, notes,
journaling, etc) they will pretend to be this epic hero and write an autobiography.
The assignment will be in the form of a CRAFT assignment, as follows:
Content = English
Role = Epic Hero
Audience = Everyone
Format = Autobiography
Topic = Telling the world (everyone) about you being an epic hero
Criteria:
Students will be required to write a 4-5 page autobiography about themselves as
an epic hero. They will be required to include those characteristics attributed
of/about epic heroes (that will be discussed, in length and detail, previous to this
assignment being given). Students will work within their writing groups to
discuss and work on their pieces.
Purpose:
Creative writing piece; work with autobiographies; understanding of the epic
poem; perspective writing; writing group experience; a basis for the second part
of the project which will come in the form of another assignment.
Outcome:
Students will be able to use their creative thinking skills and pretend to be an epic
hero who wants the world to know about them. This assignment will form as the
basis for the assignment to follow (where students will be asked to choose from a
list of projects to complete).
Assessment:
Their papers will be assessed with a checkbric.
Carolyn Blanchard
4/25/11
LIT 515
Lisa Spereno
Content-Area Writing Assignment
Below is an example of the directions that students will receive along with the checkbric:
Directions: This assignment comes in two parts. The first requires you to create your
own epic hero (based on what you have learned and what we have discussed in class).
Begin by brainstorming those characteristics that make an epic hero, epic! Then,
pretending to be this epic hero, write a 4-5 page (double-spaced, Times New Roman, font
12) autobiography of yourself (as this epic hero). For tonight, write your first draft or
brainstorm (this can be just a brainstorm!) and come prepared to sit with your writing
groups as you will be exchanging ideas and discussing your hero next time we meet.
I have included the checkbric for you. This is what I will be looking for in your paper.
HEADS UP: Here is what to expect for part two (do not get nervous as we will discuss
this further – I want you to understand that this assignment comes in two parts and I want
you to know what to expect). You will have (6) options to choose from:
1. Create your own epic poem (following conventions – like those in the version
of Beowulf we have read in class)
2. Create a map of your journeys (plot where you were born, your most
important quests, where your family is, etc); include details on map or back;
include key.
3. Create a diorama of a scene in your autobiography; make it as realistic as
possible.
4. Create your own graphic novel based from your autobiography (of a particular
scene).
5. Write a compare/contrast essay (find/discover another epic hero and write an
essay comparing and contrasting their features)
6. Put on a mini-play (pair up with another classmate (up to 4 people if you
wish) and put on a mini-play (ex. all of you are epic heroes sitting down to
dinner and discussing/arguing your adventures – remember, epic heroes are
boastful and this will be a heated argument). Limitations – NO fight scenes!
Carolyn Blanchard
4/25/11
LIT 515
Lisa Spereno
Content-Area Writing Assignment
CHECKBRIC
Name: _______________________
Format
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4-5 pages
Times New Roman, 12 font
Autobiography
Epic hero
Characteristics of Epic Hero
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Character is male
Character has high status
Fate affects destiny of people
Experiences supernatural events
Long periods of time (autobiography spans a long period of time in life)
Goes on distant journeys
Life-and-death struggles between good and evil
Character has physical strength (lots!)
Has skill as a warrior
Noble
Quick witted
Triumphant (almost always)
Boastful
Character embodies ideals and values of his people
A leader