The Oedipus Cycle
Honors English 3-4 Introductory Paragraph Assignment
30 Points
Due: _______________________________________________________
Rather than have you write an entire process essay, I am asking you to write only the Introductory Paragraph. Choose
one of the following prompts to address. Approach this assignment as if you were going to write a full essay; (you will
need to choose ideas that you could legitimately support from the text).
A. Sophocles’ plays are designed to instruct his audience members, even those in positions of authority, how to
behave in a morally correct fashion. Using information from at least two plays (Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at
Colonus, and Antigone), analyze how acting on emotions (jealousy, suspicion, pride, anger, love, fear) leads to
negative effects for the characters.
B. Ultimately, Creon’s flaw, or undoing, is due to his pride, arrogance, or inflexibility. Show where these
characteristics are apparent throughout the course of The Oedipus Cycle (Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus,
and Antigone), and analyze how these characteristics affect him, his family, and the city of Thebes.
C. One critic of Antigone has stated, “The tragedy is that both Creon and Antigone are right.” Defend (support)
or challenge (disagree) the statement by examining the motivation of each character, the merits and flaws in
their arguments, and the ways in which their pride impacts the outcome.
On ____________________________________________________, you will submit a typed, double-spaced Introductory
Paragraph to Turnitin.com. It should include all of the following:
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
5-7 sentences;
12 point font;
1 inch margins;
Title and author of play(s);
A three-pronged, parallel thesis (underlined);
Evidence of careful proofreading;
Present verb tense (Antigone chooses to bury her brother; Creon refuses to obey the gods’ laws)
Reminder: Writing an Introductory Paragraph:
You should have taken extensive notes on how to write a thesis statement and an introductory paragraph. These Power
Points are available on my web page. This is the format you should use; don’t “jazz it up.”
□
□
□
□
Start with a generalization about the idea or topic you are writing about – this can take the form of
(choose one):
 A Relevant Quote About the Topic
 Relevant, Meaningful, & Accurate Statistics
 A Statement That Seems to be True in Most Cases
 Definition of Terms Necessary to Understand the Ideas of the Essay
1-2 Sentences Introducing the Title and Author of the Play(s)
1-3 Sentences Summarizing Your Topic – These Should Relate to Your Thesis
A Thesis Statement – This Should Include:
 A three-pronged, parallel thesis statement that gives a preview
By examining ___________, ____________, and ___________, one can see that
_________________.
Rubric
Hook
1

1
Thesis
1
Conventions

Formatting


5
2
3
4
5
2
3
4
5
Paragraph includes 1-3 sentences providing a summary/background of text – this relates to the thesis statement
1




4
Paragraph includes 1-2 sentences introducing title and author
Title of play(s) is in italics
Background/Summary

3
Paragraph includes a clearly identifiable, relevant hook
Title & Author


2
2
3
4
5
Paragraph includes underlined, clearly identifiable thesis
Thesis is 3-pronged and parallel in structure
Thesis provides a preview of the essay
Thesis addresses prompt
1
2
3
4
5
Paragraph shows evidence of close proofreading (a paragraph that includes more than 3 spelling, capitalization,
grammar, punctuation, or MLA format errors will receive a score of 60%)
1
2
3
Paragraph is typed and double-spaced
Prompt is clearly typed at top of page
4
5