Explanation of the writing process back to top
Ready to move from the prewriting to the writing?
Now you are ready to
begin the writing, and here I believe the process is less like a list
than the prewriting. You don't have to do things in a
particular order; you can do them as they strike you. Therefore, I will
not create a list for this process. Instead, I have created examples of
each basic part of the essay and listed the important elements of each
part below the example.
For my example, I am comparing myself to Telemachos, so I don't steal
any of your ideas for Odysseus.
Example of a supporting paragraph back to top
Telemachos and I are both loyal to our families¹. Telemachos expresses his loyalty to his father when confronting the suitors²: “My father is not dead, he will return. You will see” (1468). Though Odysseus had not been in Ithaca since Telemachos was an infant, Telemachos never gave up hope that he would return. He was loyal even though he did not remember his father³. Fittingly, nothing could make Telemachos happier than having his father return to Ithaca. His first reaction to his father express his happiness²: “throwing / his arms around this marvel of a father / Telemachos began to weep (1059- 1061). It is not surprising that he wept, because he had been loyal for so long that he was relieved to see, finally, the person to whom he had been loyal³. Like Telemachos, I have been loyal to my family. When my mom went on vacation, I looked after her pets and cleaned the house so it would be nice when she returned. Though my friends wanted me to throw a party, I refused, knowing my mom would be upset. Though the degrees of importance differed, Telemachos and I were obviously both loyal to our families.
Key elements of the Supporting paragraph
- Begins with a topic sentence that mentions the characteristic as
well as both Odysseus and you - because that's what the paragraph is
about!
- For the quotes, it explains the
context of the quote you're
about to use.
- Also around the quote, it
explains how that example demonstrates
that Odysseus has that characteristic.
- Attempts to wrap up the paragraph with a clincher that mentions the characteristic, Odysseus, and you.
When you put in a quote, consider this to help you.
Context – pretend the reader of your essay hasn’t read The
Odyssey in 10 years and needs to be reminded about what happened. They
need the context of the quote filled in for them.
Explanation
- After you’ve presented the quote, ask, “so how does this prove my point?” and write your answer down.
- LEAVE NO INFORMATION OR INSIGHT IN YOUR HEAD!
- Example: You say Odysseus is smart and give a quote to prove it. Ask yourself, “How does this prove he’s smart?” Write your answer in the paper.