The Odyssey Essay: THE INTRODUCTION

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The Odyssey EssayTHE INTRODUCTION

• The function of the introduction is to serve as a
  map of the essay, outlining to your reader the
  main argument and points which you plan to
  develop in your essay. Most introductions begin
  with an orientation in the form of a brief
  general statement that leads the reader into the
  topic, showing the specific topic relates to the
  bigger issues or to the discipline or field the
  paper belongs to. This is followed by the thesis
  statement, which is your concise response to the
  essay question, then an outline of the argument
  presented in the essay. You may find it useful to
  think of an essays introduction as funnel shaped
  moving from the general to the specific.

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Your First Sentence or two

• To get your paper off to a great start, you
  should try to have a first sentence that engages
  your reader. Think of your first sentence as a
  hook drawing your reader in. It is your big
  chance to be so clever that your reader cant
  stop reading.

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Nextthe work

• Introduce your work Roy Thomas adaptation of
  Homers epic poem, The Odyssey and a statement
  describing the essence of the story(i.e. a one
  line summary of the plot).

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Next

• Thesis .and
• State your arguments without going into detail or
  referring to the story. Youre supposed to go
  from general to specific (save the specifics for
  the body paragraphs).

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Essay Question Dynamic characters learn and
grow as a result of their experiences. Has
Odysseus learned anything on his journey home
from Troy?
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Draft of Introduction

• (1) Conflict is the essential driving force
  behind good literature. The most profound
  conflicts take place within the protagonist and
  often result in a change of character. (2) In
  Roy Thomas graphic novel adaptation of Homers
  The Odyssey, the protagonist, Odysseus, undergoes
  many tests during his quest to return home. (3)
  Through the course of the story, Odysseus changes
  from a man plagued with hubris to a man whos
  learned humility. (4) Odysseus demonstrates this
  personal transformation through his interactions
  with the gods, his willingness to ask for help,
  and by overcoming his need for kleos.

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Writing the Body Paragraphs
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The Odyssey Quotation search

• For each argument you must find support from your
  primary source, in our case, Homers The Odyssey,
  by Roy Thomas.
• Find specific quotations from the graphic novel
  (six in total)
• Explain the context in the story (what is
  happening)
• Accurately write it out and note the pages
• How and why it connects to your respective
  argument and further supports your thesis.

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Tips

• Quote only sentences, passages, or words that are
  especially succinct, memorable, or powerful.
• If a quotation is long, or you can say it better
  or more concisely, paraphrase it (restate it in
  your own words). Remember, you must indicate a
  source even when paraphrasing. Keep paraphrasing
  to a minimum because it is your ideas, your
  argument, that counts to convince your readers.

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Getting Your Introduction Started

• Thesis
• ______________________________________________
• Argument 1
• _____________________________________________
• Argument 2
• _____________________________________________
• Argument 3
• _____________________________________________

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Argument 1 Proof 1

• Context when is this happening?
• ___________________________________________
• Support 1 The Odyssey reference or direct quote
• __________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  _____________________________(page )
• How and why it supports your argument
• __________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  ______________________________________

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Argument 1 contd

• Argument 1 Proof 2
• Context when is this happening?
• __________________________________________________
  __________________________________________
• Support 2 The Odyssey reference or direct quote
• __________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  ______________________________(page )
• How and why it supports your argument
• __________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  ______________________________________

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Between your body paragraphs

• Between your body paragraphs, have a transition
  sentence which
• 1) Summarizes the point youve made in this
  paragraph
• and
• 2) Reveals what youll be discussing in the next
  paragraph
• Remember you only need a concluding sentence
  after your third paragraph since there is no
  fourth body paragraph.

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The Conclusion

• To start off your conclusion, you should have a
  phrase which lets your reader know that the paper
  is coming to an end. You may begin with the
  tried and true In conclusion,although that gets
  pretty boring after a while.
• Experiment with constructions such as
• At the end of the day
• In the final analysis
• To conclude
• It may be said
• (or some combination thereof)

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The Conclusion contd

• Restate your thesis and summarize your three
  proofs.
• In order to make it sound creative, you may
  fiddle with the wording (as long as the meaning
  doesnt change).
• Leave the reader with a thought for further
  study.
• Do not
• Bring up new information in the conclusion
• Include a quotation
• Change your thesis or look at the question from
  the opposite perspective

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Important Notes

• Quotations dont have to be the words that a
  character directly says. The narrator can be
  quoted as well.
• Do not use I, we, you, or any variation thereof
  in the paper. You can express your ideas without
  using these constructions. Also, you are to
  remain professionally distant, and shouldnt be
  presenting information as though its your
  opinion anyway.
• No contractions or slang (dont do not)
• Write in the present tense (every time you open
  the book, the events happen over and over again).
• At the end of the sentence youre including your
  quotation in, write down the authors name and
  the page number eg. (Thomas 25).
• Have a creative title that summarizes your thesis
  (i.e. Not just the title of the novel, or
  Odyssey essay)
• Whenever you write down the title of the work,
  you must italicize or underline it.

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Important notes contd

• You do not require a title page in MLA format.
  Simply place the following information in the
  upper left hand corner
• Your name
• The instructors name
• The course code (ENG 2D)
• The date you submitted the paper (12 May, 2014)
• In the upper right hand corner of all pages after
  the first, you must write your last name and the
  page number.
• You do require a Work Cited page
• Eg. Thomas, Roy. The Odyssey. Marvel Publishing,
  Inc., New York, NY., USA. 2009.