The Odyssey – Schaffer Paragraph Assignment

Directions: Respond to one of the questions below. Use the sentences stems/outline provided to help you structure your paragraph. You may use your Jane Schaffer notes, The Odyssey, your journal, and a dictionary.

Submit your paragraph to turnitin.com by ______.

Character: How do epic similes characterize Odysseus as a hero in The Odyssey? Use evidence from the text (two different epic similes) to support your response.

Theme: How do epic similes convey a theme in The Odyssey (i.e. journey, heroism, homecoming, etc.)? Use evidence from the text (two different epic similes) to support your response.

Outline – Your paragraph will be seven sentences. The sentences should be in the following order.

Topic Sentence

Concrete Detail #1 [Epic Simile #1]

Commentary

More Commentary

Concrete Detail #2 [Epic Simile #2]

Commentary

More Commentary

Sentence Stems – Use these to help give you ideas of how to start your sentences. Remember you need to just choose one from each section. You do not have to use these, but they will help to clarify what you are trying to say.

Topic Sentence: (introduces the theme or symbol you are analyzing as well as the book title and author)

(Character)

In The Odyssey by Homer, epic similes characterize Odysseus as a hero because ______.

OR

(Theme)

In The Odyssey by Homer, epic similes convey the theme of ______in The Odyssey because ______.

Concrete Detail #1: (quote/direct evidence, embedded, with proper MLA citation). Remember this should be an epic simile!

·  For example,...

·  This (symbol/theme) is shown when...

·  When [Character’s Name] acts/says/is...

·  This is clear when the author states, “…”.

·  Evidence to support this idea is seen in the line: “…”.

Commentary: (analysis in your own words/explain how your CD relates to your symbol/theme)

·  This evidence shows that ______because ______.

·  It is clear from this example that ______because ______.

·  In this example the author is trying to show that ______because ______.

·  Because the text says ______, it is obvious that ______.

More Commentary: (more analysis in your own words/elaborate on your symbol/theme)

·  Additionally, it is clear that ______because ______.

·  Furthermore, this shows ______because ______.

Concrete Detail #2: (quote/direct evidence, embedded, with proper MLA citation). Remember this should be another epic simile!

·  Another example is...

·  This (symbol/theme) is also shown when...

·  Further evidence to support this idea is seen in the line: “…”.

Commentary: (analysis in your own words/explain how your CD relates to your symbol/theme)

·  This evidence shows that ______because ______.

·  It is clear from this example that ______because ______.

·  In this example the author is trying to show that ______because ______.

·  Because the text says ______, it is obvious that ______.

More Commentary: (more analysis in your own words/elaborate on your symbol/theme)

·  Additionally, it is clear that ______because ______.

·  Furthermore, this shows ______because ______.