UNIT 1 CULMINATING ESSAY
Pick one of the following prompts:
Essay A: How does the point of view affect the narration of a text? How does this shape the overall meaning? How does
the point of view of Grendel differ from the point of view of Beowulf and how does this difference affect the reader’s
perception of Grendel in each text?
Essay B: How does the point of view affect the narration of a text? How does this shape the overall meaning? How does
the point of view of Grendel differ from the point of view of Beowulf and how does this difference affect the reader’s
perception of Beowulf in each text?
REQUIREMENTS
THESIS STATEMENT: Your first paragraph must conclude with a thesis statement that answers the question posed by
the prompt – how does the difference in point of view in Grendel and Beowulf affect the reader’s perception of Beowulf or
Grendel.
AT LEAST 10 QUOTES: To complete your essay, you will compare textual evidence from Grendel by John Gardner to
textual evidence from Beowulf translated by Burton Raffel to support your thesis statement. Your essay should include at
least 10 quotes as evidence from either text. An excellent essay may require more than 10 quotes.
FORMAL DICTION: This is a formal, academic essay, for that reason, avoid:
First and second person pronouns
Slang
Contractions
Clichés
Stylized capitalization or
punctuation
750-1000 WORDS: Your final essay should be typed, double-spaced, in 12 pt. Arial or Times New Roman. It should be at
least 750 words in length and no more than 1000 words in length.
OCT. 10: This is the due date. You are getting this essay with plenty of time to prepare, so do not procrastinate.
FOCUS STANDARDS: Your essay should demonstrate proficiency in these standards.
ELACC11-12RL1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as
inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
ELACC11-12RL3: Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or
drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed).
ELACC11-12RL7: Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama, or poem (e.g., recorded or live production of a play
or recorded novel or poetry), evaluating how each version interprets the source text. (Include at least one play by
Shakespeare as well as one play by an American dramatist.)
ELACC11-12W2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information
clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
a. Introduce a topic; organize complex ideas, concepts, and information so that each new element builds on that which
precedes it to create a unified whole; include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
b. Develop the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic.
c. Use appropriate and varied transitions and syntax to link major sections of text, create cohesion, and clarify the
relationships among complex ideas and concepts.
d. Use precise language, domain-specific vocabulary, and techniques such as metaphor, simile, and analogy to manage
the complexity of the topic.
e. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline
in which they are writing.
f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.