Odyssey Essay
Step 1: Pick a prompt
Select one of the following prompts. Using your notes and your book, write a welldeveloped, multi-paragraph essay. Use specific, concrete details from the text to
support your opinions.
Essay Questions (Select One):
• Odysseus’s travels from Troy home to Ithaca provide readers with a classic example
of The Hero’s Journey. One of the important elements of any Hero’s Journey is the
fact that the hero undergoes a transformation. Write a well-developed, multiparagraph essay explaining how you think Odysseus’s journey changes him. You
will need to begin with a good description of Odysseus’s character at the beginning
of his 10-year journey, and then develop your argument, showing the ways Odysseus
is transformed as a result of his experiences. You will need to refer to the steps of
The Hero’s Journey as they apply to The Odyssey in order to properly organize this
essay. Use specific details from the text to support your argument
•
Like most epic heroes, Odysseus displays both positive and negative characteristics.
Write a well-developed essay about Odysseus’ character, arguing that he is either
admirable or not. You must take a stand on this; you may not attempt to argue that
he is both (even if you feel that he is.) After you make a clear statement about his
character, identify 3 of Odysseus’ character traits to support your argument and fully
develop each trait with specific details from the text.
Step 2: Take notes during movie
Step 3: Choose an organizational structure
For Admirable Essay:
1.
Introduction
2.
Events that prove he is/is
not admirable
3.
Dispute
counterarguments (Ex:
Some people think that
___ event makes him not
admirable; however, he
is still admirable because
_____.
4.
Conclusion
For Admirable or
Transformation:
For Transformation:
1.
Introduction
1.
Introduction
2.
Describe event 1 & why
it proves your point
2.
3.
Describe event 2 & why
it proves your point
What he’s like at the
beginning (use events
to support your
opinion)
4.
Describe event 3 & why
it proves your point
3.
Some events that
happen and how they
change him
5.
Describe event 4 & why
it proves your point
4.
6.
Describe event 5 & why
it proves your point
What he’s like at the
end (use events to
support your opinion)
5.
Conclusion
7.
Conclusion
Step 4: Make an outline
I.
Intro
A.
B.
C.
II.
Hook: _________________
Background Info: ___________________
Thesis: ____________________________
Body 1: ______________________
I.
II.
III.
Detail: __________________
Detail: __________________
Conclusion
I.
II.
III.
Restate thesis: _____________________
Summarize: ________________________
Final thought: _______________________
***number of body paragraphs and details within is up to you