Beowulf essay
Student Sample
Mr. Bradley
English II Pre-AP – Period __
22 November 2013
Beowulf Essay Now that you have closely read and studied Beowulf, you are to write an essay that responds to the one of the following prompts:
Some critics dismiss the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf as an adventure story filled with monsters and treasures. Others see in the poem a culturally significant allegory. Develop a thesis reflecting one of these two opposing arguments and write a well-supported argument in which you support your thesis. Avoid mere plot summary.
Beowulf emerges from a period in which traditionally pagan and Christian beliefs intersected. Think about how the poem juxtaposes these differing belief systems. Write an essay analyzing what Beowulf, as a character, reflects about Christian and pagan beliefs in Anglo-Saxon culture. Avoid mere plot summary.
Once you have determined the prompt you will answer, create a working thesis, and then build a list of potential evidence from which you may choose as you shape your essay. Your essay must be a MINIMUM of four paragraphs – introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction must end with a thesis statement that states your position. You must ensure that your thesis provides a direct answer to the prompt. Each subsequent body paragraph should then begin with a topic sentence that directly relates back to the thesis statement. From there, the entire body paragraph must work to prove the topic sentence. Each body paragraph must also have a minimum of three (3) pieces of evidence in the form of embedded, contextualized quotations from the novel with appropriate internal citations. For each piece of evidence, you must have a minimum of two sentences of commentary/analysis. Remember that your analysis must explain what the evidence does and how the evidence does it. Finally, be sure to end each body paragraph with a concluding sentence and the essay as a whole with a concluding paragraph that
Mr. Bradley
English II Pre-AP – Period __
22 November 2013
Beowulf Essay Now that you have closely read and studied Beowulf, you are to write an essay that responds to the one of the following prompts:
Some critics dismiss the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf as an adventure story filled with monsters and treasures. Others see in the poem a culturally significant allegory. Develop a thesis reflecting one of these two opposing arguments and write a well-supported argument in which you support your thesis. Avoid mere plot summary.
Beowulf emerges from a period in which traditionally pagan and Christian beliefs intersected. Think about how the poem juxtaposes these differing belief systems. Write an essay analyzing what Beowulf, as a character, reflects about Christian and pagan beliefs in Anglo-Saxon culture. Avoid mere plot summary.
Once you have determined the prompt you will answer, create a working thesis, and then build a list of potential evidence from which you may choose as you shape your essay. Your essay must be a MINIMUM of four paragraphs – introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction must end with a thesis statement that states your position. You must ensure that your thesis provides a direct answer to the prompt. Each subsequent body paragraph should then begin with a topic sentence that directly relates back to the thesis statement. From there, the entire body paragraph must work to prove the topic sentence. Each body paragraph must also have a minimum of three (3) pieces of evidence in the form of embedded, contextualized quotations from the novel with appropriate internal citations. For each piece of evidence, you must have a minimum of two sentences of commentary/analysis. Remember that your analysis must explain what the evidence does and how the evidence does it. Finally, be sure to end each body paragraph with a concluding sentence and the essay as a whole with a concluding paragraph that
Cited: page. The typed first draft of the essay will be due for a COMPLETION quiz grade on Tuesday, November 19. The final draft will be due in hard copy and at www.turnitin.com for a summative grade at the beginning of your class period on Friday, November 22. Rules regarding plagiarism and cheating will be strictly enforced. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that you are able to submit the paper to www.turnitin.com on time. We have already written one major paper, so exceptions will not be made. Please ask for help should you need any at all. I look forward to reading insightful, well-structured essays! You did well on the Antigone paper; let us continue to build on your skills!