Heroes Through The Ages Presentation
What Am I Doing?
In this assignment, you and your group members will create a PowerPoint or a Prezi presentation that supports a thesis statement about heroes in different cultures across history. You will document any sources you use using MLA style documentation. Later this week, you will give your presentation to your classmates and teacher.
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is a complete statement that makes a claim about some point of interest. Thesis statements often tell what your paper or presentation will be about. Here are the thesis statements that different groups will be defending in this assignment:
Greek Hero, Achilles: Achilles is a fictional character from the Greek warrior culture who possesses strength and courage. Through his superhuman deeds and sufferings here on Earth, he achieved a type of immortality.
Greek Hero, Hercules: Hercules is a fictional character from the Greek warrior culture who possesses strength and courage. Through his superhuman deeds and sufferings here on Earth, he achieved a type of immortality.
Old English Hero, Beowulf (5th-11th Century): This culture also honored the warrior hero. Beowulf, from the Old English epic of that name, embodies qualities the Anglo-Saxons held in high esteem: courage, loyalty to a king and fellow warrior, ability to perform super human deeds.
Medieval Period Hero, King Arthur (13th Century): King Arthur embodies the ideals of this age: courage, loyalty to God and king, chivalrous behavior toward women and the helpless.
Medieval Period Hero, Lancelot (13th Century): Lancelot embodies the ideals of this age: courage, loyalty to God and king, chivalrous behavior toward women and the helpless.
Renaissance Period Hero, Leonardo da Vinci (15th Century): A courtier whose versatility led him or her to excel in art, literature, diplomacy, warfare, and everything else, is hero of the period. Many called these historical figures “universal humans.”
Renaissance Period Hero, Queen Elizabeth I (15th Century): A courtier whose versatility led him or her to excel in art, literature, diplomacy, warfare, and everything else, is hero of the period. Many called these historical figures “universal humans.”
Renaissance Period Hero, William Shakespeare (15th Century): A courtier whose versatility led him or her to excel in art, literature, diplomacy, warfare, and everything else, is hero of the period. Many called these historical figures “universal humans.”
Romantic Period Hero, George Gordon, Lord Byron (18th Century): Lord Byron himself is the paradigm for the Byronic hero, a moody, mysterious, social outcast, yet one who possesses courage and a fascination for others.
Early American Literary Hero, Natty Bumpo: The early American hero, a pioneer like Natty Bumppo, show the values of a new country: courage, desire to enter into the unknown, willingness to endure hardships, need to be independent.
Early American Literary Hero, Daniel Boone: The early American hero, a pioneer like Daniel Boone, show the values of a new country: courage, desire to enter into the unknown, willingness to endure hardships, need to be independent.
Wait. Aren’t some of these heroes fictional and some of these heroes nonfictional?
Absolutely. The standards of the culture are reflected in both fictional creations and the admired innovators of the time.
What is MLA style documentation?
MLA stands for Modern Language Association. This is a group of people who have come up with rules that control how we should give credit to the sources we use. These rules are published in the MLA Handbook. In order to help you use a source with good source quality and good documentation, I suggest you do your research in the Gale Student Resources in Context database. This database contains screened resources with easy-to-find documentation. You will need to use an MLA Handbook to research documentation for any media elements included within your presentation.
How will I be graded?
This fifty point presentation will be graded on the following rubric:
1. Thesis statement is clearly defended. (20 points)
2. Sources are cited using MLA Style; Printed Works Cited Page Submitted (10 points)
3. Elements of “Good” presentation (from Prezi lesson) are included. (10 points)
4. Presentation is carefully proofread for spelling and grammar errors. (10 points)
What will happen after I give my presentation?
You will listen to other presentations and engage in a discussion about how the ideals of the hero have changed over time. Are there universal traits which are still as relevant today as they were in Ancient Greece? If so, what are they? What are the major differences?