Name________________________
The Greek Tragic Hero Essay Directions: You are to write an essay explaining how Oedipus fits the criteria of a Greek tragic hero. Your paper must meet the following requirements: ❏ Times New Roman font, size 12 ❏ Double spaced ❏ Header (MLA format) ❏ No personal pronouns (you, me, etc.)
Rubric (100 points)
Exceeds Expectations
Introduction/ Thesis Statement 10 points
Introduction is engaging, clear and concise. Introduces the topic of the paper thoroughly. Includes a welldeveloped thesis statement. All body paragraphs are written in well constructed sentences that clearly and concisely relate to the thesis. Paragraphs are well organized with adequate and meaningful textual evidence and analysis.
Supporting Details in Body Paragraphs 50 points
Meets Expectations Introduction states the topic and elaborates slightly. Thesis statement is present and somewhat developed.
Below Expectations Introduction states the topic. The thesis statement is unclear or underdeveloped.
Far Below Expectation Introduction is barely present.Thesis statement is not present.
Body paragraphs contain problems with sentence structure, flow, clarity, relevance to thesis, and/or organization. The majority of the body paragraphs relate to the thesis but some may not provide adequate textual evidence or analysis. Required amount of supporting textual evidence from the play with mostly correct citations.
Body paragraphs contain many/major problems with sentence structure, flow, clarity, relevance to thesis, and/or organization. Some of the body paragraphs relate to the thesis but may not provide adequate textual evidence or analysis. Does not have required amount of supporting textual evidence from the play and uses some correct citations.
Body paragraphs contain many/major problems with sentence structure, flow, clarity, relevance to thesis, and organization. Most of the body paragraphs do not relate to the thesis.
Many mistakes in mechanics/grammar throughout the paper.
Textual Evidence 20 points
More than required supporting textual evidence from the play with correct citations.
Mechanics/ Grammar 10 points
No mistakes in mechanics/grammar.
Some mistakes in mechanics/grammar throughout the paper.
Conclusion 10 points
A clear conclusion is present and restates thesis and ends in a profound manner that leaves the reader with a solid understanding.
A conclusion is present Conclusion has weak and restates the thesis, structure and does not but is not easy to restate the thesis. follow does not end in a profound manner.
Supporting textual evidence from the play is missing or nearly nonexistent. Citations are done incorrectly. Paper contains many distracting mistakes in mechanics and/or grammar that should have been avoided. Conclusion is barely present.
Outline Introduction Paragraph : Attention Getter : (Pull us into your paper with a question, quote, bold statement, etc.) Background : (What does the reader need to know about your topic? Name of the play, author, etc.) Transition : (Explain your attention getter and how it ties to your thesis.) ❏ Briefly describe a tragic hero in your own words. ❏ Answer the following question: Why would a Greek Tragic Hero appeal to an audience? Thesis : (The point of your paper – what you are trying to prove.)
Body Paragraph 1 : Hero must be doomed from the start. ❏ In what ways is Oedipus doomed from the very beginning of the play? Topic sentence : (What the paragraph will prove or be about it should contain part of your thesis) Concrete Detail (play) : (Use specific examples, TWO per paragraph, from class and quotations from the play.)
Body Paragraph 2 : He must be noble in nature. ❏ How is Oedipus naturally noble (royalty)? ❏ Hint: Oedipus is noble in more than one way. ❏ How has Oedipus’ nobility contributed to his downfall? Topic sentence : (What the paragraph will prove or be about it should contain part of your thesis) Concrete Detail (play) : (Use specific examples, TWO per paragraph, from class and quotations from the play.)
Body Paragraph 3 : He must be physically or mentally wounded. ❏ In what ways is Oedipus physically wounded? ❏ Hint: He’s been physically wounded more than once. ❏ How is Oedipus mentally wounded? ❏ Why do you think Oedipus is still a hero despite his wounds? Topic sentence : (What the paragraph will prove or be about it should contain part of your thesis) Concrete Detail (play) : (Use specific examples, TWO per paragraph, from class and quotations from the play.)
Body Paragraph 4 : His story should trigger fear and empathy. ❏ What happens in the play to make you fear Oedipus or what he might do? ❏ What happens in the play to cause you to feel bad for Oedipus? ❏ Why would a playwright want you to fear and empathize with his characters? Topic sentence : (What the paragraph will prove or be about it should contain part of your thesis) Concrete Detail (play) : (Use specific examples, TWO per paragraph, from class and quotations from the play.)
Body Paragraph 5 : Hero must suffer more than he deserves. ❏ Oedipus suffers in many ways, describe them. ❏ What are audiences entertained by suffering? Topic sentence : (What the paragraph will prove or be about it should contain part of your thesis) Concrete Detail (play) : (Use specific examples, TWO per paragraph, from class and quotations from the play.)
Conclusion : Restate Thesis : (The point of your paper – what you are trying to prove.) Briefly restate criteria for a Greek Tragic Hero : Why do audiences like tragedies and heroes ?
