Name: Due Date: Wednesday, November 8th, TYPED HARD COPY

Prompt: Write an informative essay explaining the qualities of a literary hero and/or the hero’s journey throughout literature using S.E. Hinton’s character, Ponyboy Curtis. Be sure to include evidence from both The Outsiders and the informational texts provided: “What Makes a Hero?” [video] and “7 Key Characteristics of Heroes” [article].

Directions:

Your essay should have multiple paragraphs, including an introduction with a hook, bridge, and claim, body paragraphs supporting or explaining your claim, and a conclusion. Your essay should combine both your own ideas and the use of sources, as mentioned above.

Your final essay MUST be typed, and should follow MLA guidelines, including

  • a header (your last name and the page number in the upper right)
  • a heading (your first and last name, my name, your class, and the date in the upper left)
  • a title, centered underneath the heading
  • MLA formatted citations accompanying any quotations or paraphrases of a source
  • a Works Cited page giving credit to any sources used
  • double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font

Introduction

Hook: grabbing the reader’s attention and introducing them to your topic using a question, a quote, or a short description to set the scene
(ex. Did you ever wonder whether magic was real?)
Bridge: transition from your hook to your claim; this should include the author of the book, title of the book, and a brief description of what happened
(ex. In J.K. Rowling’s novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, a boy named Harry realizes that not only can he perform magical spells, he can use his magic to better the world.)
Claim: explanation of your topic
(ex. Harry can be considered a hero because he is a talented and competent young wizard, he looks out for his school-mates’ well-being, and he puts himself at risk to help his school-mates.

Body

Topic: qualities of a hero OR the hero’s journey (choose 1)
Idea #1
(either your first heroic quality or the beginning of the hero’s journey)
Ex. Harry’s magical abilities / Idea #2
(either your second heroic quality or the middle of the hero’s journey)
Ex. Harry’s caring for others / Idea #3
(either your third heroic quality or the last part of the hero’s journey)
Ex. Harry risking himself
Supporting Detail from Informational Text / Supporting Detail from Informational Text / Supporting Detail from Informational Text
Supporting Detail from The Outsiders / Supporting Detail from The Outsiders / Supporting Detail from The Outsiders

Outline

Introduction

Hook: ______

Bridge:

______

Claim:

______

Body Paragraph #1

Topic Sentence

______

First Detail (quote or paraphrase with citation)

______

Explanation

______

Second Detail (quote or paraphrase with citation)

______

Explanation

______

Closing Sentence

______

Body Paragraph #2

Topic Sentence

______

First Detail (quote or paraphrase with citation)

______

Explanation

______

Second Detail (quote or paraphrase with citation)

______

Explanation

______

Closing Sentence

______

Body Paragraph #3

Topic Sentence

______

First Detail (quote or paraphrase with citation)

______

Explanation

______

Second Detail (quote or paraphrase with citation)

______

Explanation

______

Closing Sentence

______

Conclusion

Summarize your main ideas

______

Explain whether you think Ponyboy was born a hero or forced to become a hero. Why do you think so?

______

How can regular people become heroes? What steps should we take to become heroic?

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