beowulf essay: characteristics of archetypal epic hero

Name_____________________________ Period____ Date Due____________BEOWULF ESSAY:CHARACTERISTICS OF ARCHETYPAL EPIC HEROINSTRUCTIONS: You will:write a five to ten paragraph essay.organize your essay properly.follow the steps in the writing process by using graphicorganizers.type your final draft according to “Clearfield High SchoolWriting Standards.” See separate handout.use time wisely in class and cheerfully turn in your essay on time!Characteristics of an epic heroAn epic hero:1. is significant and glorified2. is on a quest3. has superior or superhuman strength, intelligence, and/or courage4. is ethical5. risks death for glory or for the greater good of society6. is a strong and responsible leader7. performs brave deeds8. reflects the ideals of a particular society (For Beowulf, it is Anglo-Saxon.)WRITING PROMPT:Write an essay explaining how Beowulf demonstrates the characteristics of an epichero. Choose three to eight characteristics. Give specific examples from thethree battle scenes: the battle with Grendel, the battle with Grendel’s mother,and the battle with the dragon.You will receive points for all steps of the writing process. Before turning in your final draft,please staple the rubric on top.PRE-WRITINGSTEP ONE: (8 points) Analyze the writing prompt and fill in this box.PAPurpose: describe, persuade, inform,narrate, entertain, etc.Audience: Who will read your essay?SSSubject: What is the topic? Think of yourthesis statement.Structure: poem, letter, essay, etc.

STEP TWO: (24 points) To organize your thinking and gather support for yourdetails, fill in this graphic organizer with specific examples from Beowulf. Then,star the characteristics (three minimum) for which you can write the bestdescriptions. Write numbers to the side to show which are strongest arguments.Characteristic ofan Epic Character(Beowulf)Is significant andglorified(warrior)Battle withGrendel(warrior)Battle withGrendel’s Mother(king)Battle with theDragonIs on a questHas superior orsuperhumanstrength,intelligence, and/orcourageIs ethical (choosesright or good overwrong or evil)Risks death forglory or for thegreater good ofsocietyIs a strong andresponsible leaderPerforms bravedeedsReflects the idealsof a particularsociety (Anglo-Saxon values andbeliefs

STEP THREE: (30 points) Outline traditionally or with a web. Do one.OutlineI. Introduction. Hook and background information.Thesis statement: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________II. Body. Characteristic 1. _____________________________________Examples from storya.b.c.III.Body. Characteristic 2. _____________________________________Examples from storya.b.c.IV.Body. Characteristic 3. _____________________________________Examples from storya.b.c.You can add additional body paragraphs here.V. Conclusion. Wrap up. Refer to thesis again.

WebcharacteristiccharacteristicBEOWULF: EpicherocharacteristiccharacteristicIMPORTANT: From EACH characteristic box, there are three lines branchingout. List three different examples for each characteristic at the end of eachline.

DraftingSTEP FOUR: (25 points) Write your introduction.Hook: This is a catchy sentence such as a question, quotation, anecdote, insightfulstatement, definition, fact or figure, or reference to a famous person. It’spurpose is to entice your reader to read on.Background Information: What does your reader need to know so he or she canunderstand your thesis statement and the content of your essay? Your teachersuggests writing two to four sentences.Thesis statement: This is the main idea of the essay and is usually one sentence.It is a restatement of subject of the writing prompt explaining your reasons ordetails in the order you will write about them in your essay.A two-sentence example: Beowulf exemplifies the archetypal epic hero in threeways. His characteristics show that he is significant and glorified, is on a quest,and has superior or superhuman strength.

STEP FIVE: (50 points) Write the rough draft of your essay in pencil. Use thespace below to get started and continue on lined paper. (Your teacher may haveyou use blue, green, yellow, and red color paper instead.)

Self-EditSTEP SIX: (25 points) Self-edit your rough draft in the following ways.Questions Do This Changes you made1. Does the introduction have a hookthat catches the reader’s attention?2. Does the introduction includebackground information?3. Is there a thesis statement inthe introduction? Does it containthe subject (Beowulf is an epiccharacter) and the characteristics(at least three)?4. Does your first body paragraphcontain a general topic sentencelisting the characteristic? Doesyour topic sentence contain atransitional word or phrase? Do yougive sufficient explanation,elaboration, and/or examples?5. Does your second bodyparagraph contain a general topicsentence listing the characteristic?Does your topic sentence contain atransitional word or phrase? Do yougive sufficient explanation,elaboration, and/or examples?6. Does your second bodyparagraph contain a general topicsentence listing the characteristic?Does your topic sentence contain atransitional word or phrase? Do yougive sufficient explanation,elaboration, and/or examples?7. Does your conclusion refer backto the thesis?8. Recheck the order ofcharacteristics. Are thecharacteristics listed in the sameorder in your thesis and bodyparagraphs?Circle the hookDraw a box around thebackground informationUnderline the thesisstatementNumber thecharacteristicsStar the topic sentencelisting thecharacteristicDraw a box around theexamples, elaboration,and explanationCircle the transitionword or phraseStar the topic sentencelisting thecharacteristicDraw a box around theexamples, elaboration,and explanationCircle the transitionword or phraseStar the topic sentencelisting thecharacteristicDraw a box around theexamples, elaboration,and explanationCircle the transitionword or phraseUnderline the thesis Number thecharacteristics in yourbody paragraphs Number thecharacteristics in yourconclusions If the order is not 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3,reorganize

STEP SIX: (25 points) Peer edit. Exchange papers and have someone read andevaluate your writing. Editing MUST be done before the final draft!Peer EditPeer editor’s signature__________________________________________Date__________________________1. First, check yes or no to answer questions during and after reading thestudent’s rough draft.Yes No QuestionsDoes the first sentence of the introduction have a catchy hook that makesyou want to read on?Does the writer give sufficient background information in the introduction?Does the thesis statement tell you (1) that Beowulf is an archetypal epiccharacter, and (2) list three or more characteristics?Does the first body paragraph have a topic sentence that states one ofBeowulf’s epic characteristics?Does the first body paragraph start off with a transitional word or phrase(such as first, second, next, another, finally)?Does the first body have sufficient explanation, examples, or elaboration?(Several sentences)Does the second body paragraph have a topic sentence that states one ofBeowulf’s epic characteristics?Does the second body paragraph start off with a transitional word or phrase(such as first, second, next, another, finally)?Does the second body have sufficient explanation, examples, orelaboration? (Several sentences)Does the third body paragraph have a topic sentence that states one ofBeowulf’s epic characteristics?Does the third body paragraph start off with a transitional word or phrase(such as first, second, next, another, finally)?Does the third body have sufficient explanation, examples, or elaboration?(Several sentences)Does the conclusion wrap up the essay without giving new characteristics orinformation?Does the conclusion restate the thesis statement in a different way (byexplaining that Beowulf is an epic hero and listing his characteristics)?Are the characteristics in the same order in the introduction, bodyparagraphs, and conclusion?2. Correct punctuation, spelling, grammar, and other obvious errors.

Name____________________________ Period _____ Date______Score ___ / 200Please staple this rubric to the top of your final draft. Your teacher will grade it.RUBRIC: BEOWULF’S HEROIC CHARACTERISTICSRequirementsPointspossible ifmissingTITLE• Conveys main idea; aligned and capitalized properly 5INTRODUCTION• Has a catchy hook (lead) to draw reader into essay 5• Gives pertinent and sufficient background information 10• Has a clear thesis statement that states that Beowulf isan archetypical epic hero and lists three or more heroic 10characteristics in the order they will be presented inthe essayBODY PARAGRAPH #1• Has a clear topic sentence stating first characteristic 10• Transitional word or phrase signals the topic sentence 5• Sufficient supporting explanations, elaboration, and/or 10+10+10examples from Beowulf’s battle stories (at least three)BODY PARAGRAPH #2• Has a clear topic sentence stating second characteristic 10• Transitional word or phrase signals the topic sentence 5• Sufficient supporting explanations, elaboration, and/or 10+10+10examples from Beowulf’s battle stories (at least three)BODY PARAGRAPH #3• Has a clear topic sentence stating third characteristic 10• Transitional word or phrase signals the topic sentence 5• Sufficient supporting explanations, elaboration, and/or 10+10+10examples from Beowulf’s battle stories (at least three)CONCLUSION• Summarize and wrap up; no new ideas 5• Restate thesis statement with three characteristics 10PRESENTATION AND CONVENTIONS• Typed; follows CHS writing standards; looks professional 10• Few errors such as spelling, punctuation, grammatical 10Total Possible: 200What you did well.What you can improve.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Clearfield High School Standardsfor Written and Typed WorkHeadingOn all assignments, include your heading (precisely as shown below) in the upper leftcorner on the first page with the title of your assignment centered on the top line.Your first and last nameTeacher’s NameClass PeriodDue DateTitle of Your AssignmentOn all other pages, write your last name and page number (numeral only) in the upperright corner as shown below.Your last namePage NumberFinal Drafts: Handwritten Work• Use black or dark blue pens; no pencils, no gel pens, no fluorescents, no pastels.• Use full-size 8 ½” X 11” white, lined paper; wide or college rule.• Write on every other line.• If you make a mistake, cross it out with one line; do not scribble out the mistake.Final Drafts: Typed Work• Use one-inch margins.• Double space.• Use only 12 point Times New Roman font.• Use 8 ½” X 11” white paper.Other Requirements for All Final Draft Work• Multiple papers should be stapled once in the upper left corner.• No covers and no page protectors (unless the teacher’s instructions require them).• Make sure the paper is neat and in good condition; do not turn in a paper with stains,folds, or tears.• Avoid contractions and slang in formal essays or reports.• Write in a style appropriate to the established purpose: creative or formal.• Write or type on only one side of the paper.