Sample Directive Outline
for
Unit 3: The Tragic Hero Paper
Thesis: Develop a clearly stated opinion thesis that reveals the similarities and/or differences between
the two characters. Introduce at least three traits of the two tragic heroes in your introduction.
Example: While both Antigone and Medea appear to possess very different motives for 1) protecting
their nobility, they share similar traits when looking at 2) their error in judgment (hamartia) and
3) recognition of their errors (anagnorisis).
Body Paragraphs:
Trait #1: (Directive Topic Sentence) Begin with a directive “what statement” that identifies the first
trait you will compare/contrast
(Directive Analysis) (A) Follow with an “analysis” statement that tells “why” you will analyze
(Directive Evidence) (B) Include an “evidence” statement summarizing the specific evidence you
will look at in the texts. Note: Refer to any of the outside essays in your research summaries in this
section.
State the author and title of the article when referencing them as “evidence” you wish to refer to.
Example:
(Directive Topic Sentence): I will define the difference in both Antigone and Medea’s
motives for protecting their nobility.
(Directive Analysis) A) I will analyze “why” Antigone’s motives for protecting her status as queen
were noble while Medea’s motives were driven by jealous rage.
(Directive Evidence) B) The evidence I will analyze: 1) Antigone’s intentions on burying her brother
Polyneices, 2) Medea’s defense of her actions before Jason and 3) quotes from Norman DeWitt’s
article “Character and Plot in the Antigone.”
Trait #2: Continue with the three directive “what” statements for trait #2 listed in thesis above.
Trait #3: Continue with the three directive “what” statement for trait #3 listed in the thesis above.
Conclusion: No need to outline your conclusion in your directive outline. But when you write your
paper, be open to the experience of what the writing process teaches you as your write this particular
argument. Conclusions should include “what did I learn writing this paper?” Expand, explore, make
connections, and ask provocative questions.
****Remember: Do not write out your actual argument. The purpose of the “directive outline” is to
strategize your argument with “what” statements that outline “what” you intend to argue before you
actually write the content of your argument.
From Directive Outline to Final Paper
Directive Outline
Topic Sentence: I will define the difference in both Antigone and Medea's motives for
protecting their nobility.
Analysis: I will analyze “why” Antigone motives for protecting her status as queen were noble
while Medea's motives were driven by jealous rage.
Evidence: The evidence I will use: 1) Antigone's intentions for burying her brother,
2) Medea's defense of her sacrifices made for Jason and 3) quotes from Norman DeWitt from
“Character and Plot in the Antigone.”
Final Paper Sample Paragraph
Antigone and Medea demonstrate very different motives for protecting their nobility and
status. Antigone appears obedient and respectful of divine law and the god’s wishes to sustain
her reputation while Medea is driven by jealous rage to defend her status in Corinth.
Antigone proves she is well-intentioned when she commits to burying her brother
Polynecies. Even though she has to betray Creon’s state law, she honors a higher law that she
feels represents the needs of all Greek citizens and not just Theban’s. While this is a very
painful decision for her, she demonstrates a faithfulness to both her family, her country and the
gods.
Medea appears extremely jealous and protective at the beginning of the play and is
focused on protecting her role as a wife and mother in Corinth. She restates how much she has
sacrificed for Jason, imposing guilt and retribution on her husband and Creon. She doesn't
stop there but proceeds to plot a way to bring retribution on not only Jason but his new wife
who would replace her status in Corinth. She does not think rationally nor question the
repercussions of her plot against both Jason, his new wife or her own children.
(Synthesis) While Jocasta proves herself to be faithful to her noble status as queen of Thebes
and undeserving of losing her nobility, Lady Macbeth proves herself to be corrupted by power
and thus deserving of losing her nobility. Jocasta demands our sympathy while Lady Macbeth
only gains pity from the audience for her short-sightedness.
From Topic Statements to Final Thesis
The Hook
First, create a “hook” that both introduces the main topic of this paper and expresses your
opinion about this main topic: namely, the role of the tragic hero.
Sample Hook: “The role of the tragic hero in literature demonstrates both the strengths
and weaknesses of the every day person, challenged by both their own feelings of revenge
and good will. In Antigone by Sophocles and Medea by Euripedes, both women
demonstrate the everyday struggle to defend their beliefs and values.
Final Thesis
Based on your three topic sentences, determine the final wording of your thesis:
Topic Sentence #1: Antigone and Medea demonstrate very different motives for protecting
their nobility and status.
Topic Sentence #2: Antigone and Medea have similar errors in judgment. Both defy authority
to defend their course of action abandoning all sense of reason and compromise.
Topic Sentence #3: Antigone and Medea have similar realizations of their errors. Neither
woman admits to wrong-doing or feels regret for their actions. Both feel justified at the end.
Final Thesis: While Antigone and Medea have 1) different motives for protecting their
nobility, they share similar traits when looking at their 2) errors in judgment and 3)
realization of their errors.