Odyssey Writing Revision Workshop

1. Odyssey Writing Revision Workshop Thesis Statements, Topic Sentences, & Analysis

2. The Prompt…Quick Review Using Books 9-12, agree or disagree whether Odysseus can be regarded as a hero based on the quote below: According to famed American mythologist and writer, Joseph Campbell, "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." You must use this assignment to demonstrate your understanding of thesis and paragraph structure and analysis.

3. Thesis Statement Revision STEP 1: Get up and move to a new desk. Visit another student’s paper and read the thesis statement. STEP 2: Read it carefully. Does it contain all of the required parts of a thesis statement? Does the narrower take into consideration Campbell’s quote? Are the prongs parallel? STEP 3: Make changes and offer suggestions. STEP 4: Review the sample on the next slide. Compare/contrast the sample on the next slide with what you see on the paper. Offer additional changes.

4. Sample Thesis Statement Although Campbell depicts a hero as someone who has made many sacrifices, Odysseus from Homer’s Odyssey is ineffective as a hero according to Campbell’s standards as evidenced by PRONG 1, PRONG 2, and PRONG 3. While Campbell depicts a hero as someone who has made many sacrifices, Odysseus from Homer’s Odyssey surpasses Campbell’s criteria and is more than effective as a hero as evidenced by PRONG 1, PRONG 2, and PRONG 3.

5. Writing Effective Topic Sentences To review the function of a topic sentence: • Introduces the main idea and argument. • This main idea should chronologically correspond to one of the three prongs previewed in the thesis statement. • This sentence focuses your entire paragraph. • This sentence is an extension of your argument and must answer the prompt!

6. Topic Sentence Revision STEP 1: Get up and move to a new desk. Visit another student’s paper and read the thesis statement and the topic sentence. STEP 2: Read the topic sentence carefully. Is it an extension of the prompt? Does it take into consideration the idea mentioned in the first prong? Does it bring in Campbell’s quote? Is it argumentative? STEP 3: Make changes and offer suggestions. STEP 4: Review the sample topic sentences on the next slide. Compare/contrast the samples on the next slide with what you see on the paper. Offer additional changes.

7. Sample Topic Sentences Odysseus is clearly ineffective as a hero according to Campbell’s criteria based on his inability to think clearly during trying situations. Odysseus is not a hero based on Campbell’s standards due to his overpowering arrogance. Due to his selfish tendencies, Odysseus is ineffective as a hero according to Campbell’s criteria.

8. Analysis…but first…quote choice! STEP 1: Move to another desk. Read the thesis statement, topic sentence, context sentence(s), and the quote. Ask yourself: • Does the selected quote make sense? • Is it hard evidence? Could the writer use it to effectively defend the argument? Are there unanswered questions? • Is the quote cited correctly? (Book.line(s)). STEP 2: Make comments/suggestions about the quote to help the writer. Let them know what they should do.

9. Analysis STEP 1: Stay where you are. Read the analysis sentences carefully. STEP 2: Ask yourself: • Is this summary or analysis? • Does the writer begin the analysis with “this quote shows”? If so, offer a new starter. i.e. Homer intends…Odysseus’ characterization indicates… • Are any of the three I’s (intent, impact, and implication) being used? • Does the writer connect the analysis back to the argument to show whether or not Odysseus is heroic according to Campbell’s standards? STEP 3: Make any suggestions/comments on the paper.

10. Analysis Showcase Let’s review some analysis samples together! Be prepared to share paragraphs under the Elmo!