12 Grade Beowulf- An Epic Poem Essay

Response to Literary Text Grade 12 / Beowulf- An Epic Poem

500 words

Please include your name, grade, school name, and a title.

25 points total

Prompt: “Beowulf” is a powerful poem detailing heroic deeds. Your task is to determine if Beowulf is an ideal hero and king, what attributes does he possess or lack to make him a hero, and think of a person that you know that could be described as a modern day hero, using specific examples. You will also provide a brief summary of the play in the introduction.

Prewriting: (worth 5 points of your essay grade): Brainstorm, is Beowulf an ideal hero, what traits does he possess, or lack? What person do you know that is a hero?

Essay (worth 20 points): After reading the poem “Beowulf,” write a brief summary and develop a thesis. This should appear in the introduction. The remaining paragraphs should focus on the traits you have chosen, how they impact the work using specific examples. Also, discuss a modern hero that you know. Lastly, in the conclusion, discuss what you liked about the work, and what you did not like.

Final Response to Literary Text draft should include evidence of the following:

Language: imagery, research inclusion, and word choice: how the writer’s use of these elements achieves effects in the composition.

Structure: how the writer creates an effective lead, thesis sentence, and reflection within the essay.

Format: paragraph one – introduction/summary/thesis; paragraph two – is Beowulf an ideal hero?; paragraph three –traits he possesses or lacks; paragraph four- your modern hero; paragraph five - what you liked and found disturbing.

**Final Note to Students: ALL essays will be checked for internet plagiarism. ANY evidence of material taken from a website or book that is NOT cited will result in an automatic failure. The essay should be YOUR OWN work, not the work of someone else.