Ninth Grade English – Jones
The Odyssey Essay
Distributed 3/26/13
- 5 points if rubric not turned in
Task: Write an argumentation style essay analyzing Homer’s epic The Odyssey. You may choose
ONE of the following prompts.
1. By definition, Odysseus is an epic hero but he makes a series of mistakes. Do his flaws outweigh
his heroism? Is Odysseus a good hero?
NOTE – You must prove this based on the literary definition of epic hero discussed in class.
You may not use the fact that Odysseus is male. TOO EASY
2. There are many people/gods responsible for the length of Odysseus’ journey home. Who is most
responsible for all of the troubles Odysseus and his men experience?
3. Odysseus kills or injures many of his enemies during this epic tale. Are his actions justified?
Paragraph 1 – INTRODUCTION: Summarize the story in about four sentences, one sentence for
each of the books we read in class. The first sentence should include the name of the story and the
author. For example, Homer’s epic tale The Odyssey is about… After the summary, you should have
a transition sentence. Finally, the last sentence of the introduction should be your thesis statement.
REMEMBER: do not use a first person pronoun, such as I. You do not need to say “I believe…” or
“I think that…”
Total Sentences for Introduction paragraph – About 6
Paragraphs 2 & 3 – POSITION PARAGRAPHS: Discuss your position. (The claim must include
a specific reason.) You need two (2) pieces of evidence – which must be copied WORD FOR
WORD from the story.
Remember:
Set Up should introduce evidence and identify the speaker and context.
Reasoning should explain in at least THREE sentences how the evidence proves the
assertion and use the keyword.
Cite your evidence by stating the book and line number(s). For example, if your evidence
came from Book 10, lines 105-106, you would write in parenthesis (10:105-106). NOTE:
the period comes after the parenthesis.
Paragraph 4 – CONCLUSION:
1. Restate thesis (or maybe the transition sentence)
2. Repeat both assertions
3. Memorable statement.
Do not introduce new ideas or evidence.
DUE DATES:
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Introduction draft HW due 3/28/13 at beginning of class; it’s HW assigned 3/26/13
Body paragraph #1 draft due 3/28/13 by the end of class
Body paragraph #2 draft due 4/9/13 by the end of class
Editing in class 4/11/13
Final draft due 4/15/13
Ninth Grade English – Jones
The Odyssey Essay
Distributed 3/26/13
- 5 points if rubric not turned in
Rubric
FCAs
Argumentation
(50 pts)
Introduction
(12 pts)
Conclusion
(12 pts)
A
Always correctly
uses claims, set
up, reasoning, and
transition words
within body
paragraphs
Introduction
contains a 4
sentence summary
of story, transition
sentence & thesis
statement
Conclusion
contains restated
thesis, assertions
& memorable
closing sentence.
No new ideas
No 1st or 2nd
person pronouns
used
B
Correctly uses
claims, set up,
reasoning, and
transition words in
body par. most of
the time
Introduction is
missing 1 of the
components listed
for an A in this
category
C
Correctly uses
claims, set up,
reasoning, and
transition words in
body paragraphs
some of the time
Introduction is
missing 2 of the
components listed
for an A in this
category
D
Rarely uses
claims, set up,
reasoning, and
transition words
within body
paragraphs
Introduction is
missing 3 of the
components listed
for an A in this
category
Conclusion is
missing 1 of the
components listed
for an A in this
category
Conclusion is
missing 2 of the
components listed
for an A in this
category
Conclusion is
missing 3 of the
components listed
for an A in this
category
Occasional use of
Frequent use of 1st
st
nd
1 & 2 person
& 2nd person
1 & 2 person
pronouns may
pronouns makes
pronouns
distract reader
writing hard to
(15 pts)
some of the time
follow
No spelling or
Lapses in writing
Lapses in writing
Lack of control
Lack of control
conventions may
over conventions
over writing
grammatical errors conventions may
distract from
make the writing
makes
conventions
Conventions
meaning some of
difficult to
understanding
understanding
(11 pts)
the time.
understand.
writing difficult.
writing impossible
*** Misspelling of characters’ names ***
Number of times characters names are misspelled __________ x 5 pts = ___________ Penalty (UNLIMITED)
st
nd
Rare use of 1st or
2nd person
pronouns does not
distract reader
Not Ratable
Does not use
claims, set up,
reasoning, and
transition words in
body par. –ORUses incorrectly
Introduction is
missing more than
3 of the
components listed
for an A in this
category
Conclusion is
missing more than
3 of the
components listed
for an A in this
category
1st & 2nd pronouns
used throughout
the essay
Total Score
Points Earned: __________ minus penalty for misspelled names: __________ = __________
REDLINE OFFENSES:
There will be a 10% reduction in the student’s final score for:
failure to type or write in blue or black ink.
failure to write on only the front of pages
failure to double space.
failure to follow MLA Format.
Turn in:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Final Draft
Rough Draft
Writing Violation
Edited Draft
Rubric