The Odyssey Project
Project: Major grade
Due date:_____________*
The Odyssey has long been celebrated as one of the greatest works ever
produced by the West. This epic recounts the story of Odysseus, a man caught in conflict
between fate versus will. Along his odyssey, Odysseus is met by many powerful forces, which force him to make
choices, as we all must make. This is a story that has transcended time and culture through the use of universal
themes and struggles.
You may choose to do this project with a partner or alone. All work will be completed outside of class,
so consider this when making your decision about a partner. Both partners who help with the project will receive
the same grade. Any partner not participating will receive a zero. If that removed partner wishes to replace that
grade, s/he must complete an individual project that will be due on the due date.
Project (on a poster board)
**Your project should include AT LEAST the following elements. (These must be typed.)
(Don’t forget to number each of the following items!)
*You will also need to submit your project to turnitin.com before midnight on the due date. (Pictures do not
have to be submitted, but can be.)
1) A title. Your title should be exactly the same as the title of your selection (story/island from The Odyssey).
It should be punctuated and capitalized correctly.
2) Summarize the plot of your section (story/island). Your summary should be 5-7 sentences in length.
3) Find a particularly compelling quotation. Type the quotation and cite it properly, (i.e., Calypso, the Sweet Nymph
ll. 56-58). Explain: What is compelling about it? What is its greater meaning? (3-5 sentences)
4) Choose TWO or more examples of figurative language. Identify the type of figurative language in the example.
Type the quotation and cite it properly, (i.e., Calypso, the Sweet Nymph ll. 56-58). Explain what the
significance of the figurative language is.
5) Answer: What is the lesson being taught? Use the following format—Lesson #1: ___________. You may have
more than one lesson. (Thoroughly explain the lesson.)
6) If this lesson was being taught in modern times, what would the scenario be? (Think outside of the box.) Be
sure to fully describe your modern scenario in 5-7 sentences. Include a visual to accompany this lesson.
7) Include at least 3 additional pieces of artwork (found or drawn) representing some aspect of the selection.
Explain in 1-2 sentences why you chose each piece of artwork.
8) Include at least one other addition with a connection to your selection (i.e., song lyrics, poem, photograph,
symbol, etc.). Why did you choose this for your selection? Explain in 2-4 sentences.
**Your project should be easy to read, appealing to the eye, and complete. Neatness is key, since you will have so
many elements on one poster board.
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Group Members: ___________________________________________________________
Selection (story/island): __________________________________________
Odyssey Project Rubric
Poster:
Poster is neat and easy to read (numbered), flows together, looks polished
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (1 point per error)
_____/15 points
_____/10 points
Poster Contains:
1) A clear title that is capitalized correctly
_____/5 points
2) Plot Summary (detailed, complete, accurate, concise) [5-7 sentences]
_____/10 points
3) Compelling Quotation with proper citation and quotation marks
_____/5 points
Explanation about the quotation (detailed and informative; creative)
[3-5 sentences]
_____/10 points
4) At least 2 examples of figurative language with citations
_____/10 points
5) Lesson Learned (accurate, complete)
_____/5 points
6) Modern Day Scenario (complete, logical, detailed) [5-7 sentences]
_____/10 points
Modern-day scenario artwork
_____/5 points
7) Artwork (3) (represents various aspects of the story; creative, etc.)
[includes 1-2 sentence explanation for each piece]
_____/10 points
8) Additional element provided (with explanation of 2-4 sentences)
_____/5 point
Total Points Earned:
_____/100 points
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Name____________________________
Period_______
The Odyssey Extra Credit Project
Due Date:_________________________
For 1 quiz grade (200 points):
Create a post card from one of Odysseus’s travels. Pick any of his journeys and
make up a post card to send home to either his wife, Penelope, or his son,
Telemachus.
The card must be at least 5 x 7…it can be on construction paper, stock paper,
computer paper, or poster board (no note book paper). You will be graded on
creativity and originality.
On the front: The picture or scene from one of Odysseus’s travels. You may
choose any of the books we read in class. Include ONE quotation from that story
to attach to the picture. Cite the quotation properly (i.e., Calypso, the Sweet
Nymph ll. 56-58)
On the back: One half is a letter to either Penelope or Telemachus explaining
the journey on the front. (It must be at least 10 sentences.) The other half is
the address to their home.
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