The Odyssey: Expository Essay Assignment
An expository essay seeks to define, explain, or illustrate an idea
Writing Task:
You are to select one of the topics below and complete an expository essay as your writing
assignment.
You must first complete an outline as your prewriting work (worth 50 points).
Next, you must search for quotes or examples from the text that help in your explanation/essay
AND record the book number from which you found that quote (worth 50 points).
You will also be graded on content and style of the opening paragraph: broad beginning
narrowing to a thesis statement and citing your source.
You will be graded on the content and style of each body paragraph and each body paragraph
must contain at least 2 concrete details supported by 2 commentaries per concrete detail.
You will be graded on the content and style of the concluding paragraph and the concluding
paragraph must contain all commentary, no concrete details.
You must have at least 5 paragraphs: an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
You must also have a title for your writing.
You must use size 12, Calibri or Arial font and you must double space your document.
You must use the same font type and size for your title and put one extra space only between it
and the essay.
You must have an MLA style name and title. Nothing may be in the header section of this
document except a page number and your last name in the following format: Fish, 1 (use the
“insert -> page number” menu option on MS Word).
You must have at least two subordinate clauses in each paragraph. The essay first draft: 50
points. The essay final draft: 100 points.
I take off points for fragments, run-on sentences, spelling errors, leaving words out,
capitalization errors, punctuation errors. Each mistake is 5 points off. I expect you to use your
resources to make corrections. Learning to use resources on your own is a crucial skill for you.
Asking someone to proofread and edit and revise for you is not helping you develop your skills
at all: it actually hinders your skills development.
If you choose not to carefully follow all directions on format and content outlined above, you will most
likely be asked to fix your paper before you can hand it in for a grade. Following directions is an
essential life skill you must master.
ADVANCED
Here are some prompts that may help you choose your topic:
1. Many times Odysseus has declared that his men were “mutinous.” Still, they
were often loyal and true. Explain using examples from the text these two sides
of Odysseus’s men.
2. One of the themes in Greek mythology is that “Man is nothing without the gods.”
Explain using examples from the text, the ways the gods help or hindered the
lives of the characters in either the Iliad or the Odyssey.
3. A hero is not without flaws. Explain using examples from the text of The Odyssey,
which attributes of Odysseus him a hero and which attributes show he is not
perfect.
4. Hospitality is an important idea and custom to the Greeks. Explain this idea and
custom. Then, explain using examples from the text of the Odyssey, situations
where hospitality was or was not shown. Include the actions of the guests in your
analysis.
5. Faithfulness and loyalty are two major themes in The Odyssey. Prove this
statement true using examples from the text.
6. Explain using examples from the text, the importance of the roles of women as
portrayed in The Odyssey. Consider how they are loyal, strong—or weak,
hospitable, etc.
7. Compare and contrast the various ways that Penelope and Odysseus display
cleverness in dealing with others.