WORLD WRITERS BEOWULF PROJECTS
TURN THIS SHEET IN WITH YOUR PROJECT!!!!!
Name _____________________________
OPTION 1: Thesis paper, 1 ½ page minimum, double spaced
Watch one of the following movies and prove, using the handout on heroic characteristics,
that the hero is an epic hero. Comparison to Beowulf is required.
Movies: All the President’s Men, Winter’s Bone, Saving Private Ryan, Silence of the Lambs,
Gladiator, Braveheart
Organization
35 points
Town Talk
Unclear and
unfocused; pointless;
Analysis and
Vague, superficial
Connections (Movie
and
characteristics)
45 points
Grammar, usage,
Some errors
mechanics, and
spelling
20 points
Delco Times
Organized well;
sturdy little intro
Specific but
superficial
Few errors
New York Times
Well organized;
transitions; clever
introduction leads to
thesis
Specific and deep;
“For example” is
everywhere, lots of
thinking  Great
ideas
No errors
OPTION 2: Poem, 24 lines or more, left justified
An ode is a serious poem written in praise of someone or something. You will write an ode
praising your hero (be serious), or you can write a mock ode about a not-so-serious hero.
P.I. (poetic
intelligence)
Idea (narrative and
theme)
30 points
Novice
Veteran
Laureate
Idea is unclear and
unfocused; pointless
Focuses on a single
idea; understandable
Word choice and
sensory words
35 points
Ordinary, repetitive,
or clichéd; I don’t
“see things”
Poetic devices
(figurative
language, sound
devices)
30 points
Mechanics, etc
5 points
Underuse,
inappropriate use, or
confusing use of
figurative language
and sound devices
Some errors
Attempts to use
descriptive words to
create images; I “see
some things”
Uses some figurative
language and sound
devices
Presents an idea in a
fresh, clear way; may
be humorous or
poignant.
Precise language; I
am in sensory
ecstasy!
Few errors
Figurative language
and sound devices
rock
No errors
OPTION 3: Thesis paper, 1 ½ page minimum, minimum of 4 quotes, double spaced
Beowulf defines what it means to be a great man in the early middle ages. How does
Beowulf’s idea of a great man and our idea in 2013 compare? Contrast? (Thesis here:
Beowulf’s description of greatness is quite similar to/very different from our own)
Organization
35 points
Analysis and
Connections
(between Beowulf
and modern day
45 points
Grammar, usage,
mechanics, and
spelling
20 points
Town Talk
Unclear and
unfocused; pointless;
Delco Times
Organized well;
sturdy little intro
Vague, superficial
Specific but
superficial
Some errors
Few errors
New York Times
Well organized;
transitions; clever
introduction leads to
thesis
Uses great quotes
and deep thought;
Defines greatness in
both eras; Great
ideas
No errors
OPTION 4: Visual display
Read John Gardner’s Grendel and compare and contrast it with Beowulf. Have a book chat
with me. Then, with a pleasing visual answer these questions: How does each represent
the era in which it was written? What elements do the texts share? How do they differ in
their interpretations of good and evil?
Creativity and
Effort
45 points
Analysis and
Connections
(between Beowulf
and Grendel)
45 points
Grammar, usage,
mechanics, and
spelling
10 points
Finger Painting
Clearly a middle
school health poster
Gallery Opening
Neatly done, colorful
Vague, superficial
Specific but
superficial
Some errors
Few errors
Sistine Chapel
Neatly done, colorful,
and masterful! Took
some time.
Uses great quotes
and deep thought;
great ideas shown
logically
No errors