Odyssey Essay Re-Write Mini-Lessons

Rewriting Mini-Lessons

Funnel Introductions

Funnel Introduction
Start w/ GENERAL statement
LIFE, not Odyssey
HEROES/HEROISM, not character
Hero quote should logically connect
END intro with THESIS = claim + 2 reasons

Many people take into consideration different
characteristics that make up a hero. According to
Christopher Reeves, “A hero is an ordinary
individual who finds the strength to persevere
and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
A great example of this type of her is Odysseus
because he overcame challenges like the Cyclops
and sailing back from Troy to Ithaka.
--Danica Lopez

There are a multitude of traits and decisions that
make up a hero. As defined by Christopher
Reeves, “A hero is an ordinary individual who
finds the strength to persevere and endure in
spite of overwhelming obstacles.” According to
this quote, Telemakhos is indeed a hero. He finds
it in him to fight back and he solves his own
woes.
--Alden Dewey

Many people have different definitions of a hero.
A widely accepted definition of a hero is, “A hero
has faced it all: he need not be undefeated, but
he must be undaunted” (Andrew Bernstein).
From this definition, Odysseus is a hero because
he has been through multiple challenges and was
never intimidated or discouraged through his
journey.”
--Manish Kaushal

Heroes throughout history haven’t always been the
ones to save the world or rescue a princess who has
been locked in a tower. Christopher Reeves put it
well when he noted, “A hero is an ordinary individual
who finds the strength to persevere and endure in
spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Prince
Telemakhos fits this description quite well and can
be counted as a hero as he “found the strength to
persevere and endure” while his mother’s suitors
laid waste to his food and livestock.
--Todd Deger

Body Paragraphs – Part One

Persuasive Body Paragraphs
Opening Sentence = mini thesis
Claim + 1 reason
Quote lead-in = SAS
Speaker
Audience
Scene

•First of all, Odysseus is able to overcome
seemingly impossible obstacles.
•Odysseus showed perseverance when dealing
with the Cyclops.
•One reason why Telemakhos is a hero is because
of his dedication.

•An example of this would be when Odysseus
states, “…
•The text states, “…
•When Odysseus contemplates killing the suitors,
he shares his concerns with Athene: “…

Persuasive Body Paragraphs
CHOOSE
HEROIC
QUOTES!

“I am no stranger / to contests as you fancy.
I rated well / when I could count on my two
hands. / Now pain has cramped me, and my
years of combat / hacking through ranks in
the war, and the bitter sea” (8.188-192).

"I am one man; how can I whip those dogs? /
They are always here in force. Neither / is that
the end of it, there's more to come. / If by the
will of Zeus and by your will / I killed them all,
where could I go for safety? / Tell me that!"
(20.44-49).

"My mother says I am his son; I know not /
Surely. Who has known his own engendering? /
I wish at least I had some happy man / as father,
growing old in his own house -- / but unknown
death and silence are the fate / of him that ,
since you ask they call my father" (1.258-264).

Body Paragraphs – Part Two

Persuasive Body Paragraphs
SHOW,
DON’T TELL!

This example shows how Telemakhos was
determined to find Odysseus. At his age, most
teenagers would be afraid to go to sea. Also,
there were not many men in Telemakhos’ life to
help him mature. However, his dedication to find
his father allowed him to go on this journey.
Heroes must have this characteristic in order to
overcome challenges.
--Dhruv Patel

This trick makes the Cyclops tell his friends “Nobody”
attacked him so Odysseus is able to save himself and
his shipmates. This defeat of Cyclops makes
Odysseus a hero because he used the strength of his
mind to overcome the impossible obstacle of the
notorious Cyclops to save the lives of his shipmates.
He is also a hero because he endured the terror and
pain of seeing some of his shipmates eaten by the
Cyclops, but he still never gave up and came out on
top.
--Will Falkenberg

Persuasive Body Paragraphs
Clearly connect back to
hero quote

According to Bernstein, a hero needs to try even
though he or she may not succeed. Telemakhos
did make the attempt to talk to Nestor and
Menelaos even though he did not figure out the
exact location of his father. Having perseverance
allowed Telemakhos to try to search for Odysseus
which is why he’s considered a hero.
--Dhruv Patel

Persuasive Body Paragraphs
Concluding sentence =
NO REPEATS!
What can be learned?
What is significant/notable?
How does it connect to real life?

Telemakhos may have helped a hero, but he
surely is not a hero.
--Adarsh Kurian
Odysseus’ heroic actions against the suitors to
defeat them can show people what true heroism
is: doing what’s right no matter what the
consequence.
--Will Falkenberg

Counter Argument Paragraph

Counter Argument Paragraph
Three main points:
1. Some people think…
2. They think this because…
3. They are wrong because…

Counter Argument Paragraph
Directly
address
counter
arguments!

Even after Odysseus completed all of his heroic
deeds, people still believe that Odysseus isn’t a hero.
They think that the only reason he made it home
was because he had help from Athene and his hardy
crew members. This argument is false because
Odysseus didn’t always have help from Athene and
his crew. His entire crew went against his will and
made Lord Helios angry which eventually got them
all killed. Odysseus made it home all by himself.
--Eric Theis

Yes, Athene may have helped him a little, but she
wasn’t always there for him. She wasn’t there
when Odysseus passed by the Sirens. Odysseus
went through the majority of his odyssey alone,
which makes him a hero.
--Eric Theis

Some believe that because Telemakhos went on a
journey to look for his father and helped kill suitors
that he his heroic. However, when he went on a
voyage for his father, all he did was go to Nestor who
gave him many luxuries and a suitable place to live
like a prince for days. Secondly, although he did kill
many suitors, it was mainly his father who did most
of the work, while he only killed a few people.
Telemakhos may have helped a hero, but he surely is
not a hero.
--Adarsh Kurian

Reverse Funnel Conclusion
Restate (not copy) thesis
After thesis, do not write about poem or
characters
LIFE / HEROES / PEOPLE