Name _______________________________
English 9 H, per. _______
Due Date _____________
Not Homer’s ODYSSEY: an original narrative
This is an exploration of epic style and character voice in
creative writing, as well as a chance to show your detailed
understanding of an event from the poem. You have
already had a chance to role play and draft in your
character’s voice, so now you can expand those ideas to
create your own account of an event and theme from
Books 9-12.
1. Choose a character who might be on the ship with Odysseus as he tries to get home.
2. Choose one event from the episodes of Book 9-12 on Odysseus’ journey.
3. Create a first person account (in journal, or letter, or your own epic poem format) of the event from
your character’s perspective. Start with a brief introduction to explain your character’s background.
Then describe the event from the character’s point of view. Remember s/he might be in a different
location from Odysseus and see different things, but you must also show your awareness of the
details that Odysseus mentions in that part of the story. Focus on the plot AND the themes of the
epic. Odysseus travelled to get home AND to learn lessons for becoming a better person. What does
your character learn in this part of the journey? That must be clear in your account. Your story should
be about 2-3 pages long (about 500-750 words).
4. Use elements of epic style to demonstrate your understanding of those. You should have at least two
epic similes, and several original uses of epithet that show your character’s opinions. Also, choose
vocabulary that communicates the elevated epic style, as well as your character’s personality. If you
think it matches your character, you might even try your hand at a poetic rhythm (although this is not
necessary to get the highest grade).
The Scoring Guide, 40 points, Major Work
Category
Ideas &
Content
15 pts
Voice
15 pts
Conventions
10 pts
Exemplary
• Demonstrates excellent
knowledge of events
from text with
accuracy and detail
• Shows creativity in
character details,
opinions with unique
viewpoint and
connections to text
• Expresses theme lesson
with strong personal
reaction
• Creative and effective
use of style, including
epic simile and epithet
• Word choice is
specific, stylish, and
expresses character
• Few or no convention
errors
Proficient
Emerging
Incomplete
• Demonstrates good
knowledge of events
from text with no
errors
• Demonstrates adequate
understanding from text
that is general or has few
errors
• Demonstrates poor
understanding of the
text with errors
• Shows creativity in
character details,
opinions, and unique
viewpoint
• Expresses theme
lessons
• Shows some character
that may lack detail,
individual opinion, or
unique viewpoint
• Theme lesson might be
inferred, but is not direct
• Does not create a clear
or consistent character
• Clear and correct use
of style, including epic
simile and epithet
• Word choice is specific
and suggests character
• Use of epic style is
attempted, but is not
effective.
• Word choice is clear and
correct
• Minor convention
errors
• Some distracting errors
• Theme lesson is
confused, or not
present
• Use of epic style is
lacking or unclear
• Word choice is unclear
with errors
• Many distracting errors