Write an expository essay in which you discuss the key characteristics of

Greek mythology.

Why do we continue to read Greek mythology thousands of years

later? What are the key characteristics of Greek mythology that
engage us? What interaction of characters, plots, settings, and
themes are most interesting and relevant for today’s readers?

Your expository essay must be based on this topic and prompt. Your essay
must incorporate ideas and information found in Heroes, Gods, and
Monsters of Greek Mythology by Evslin.

Use your best writing to complete an essay that

●is focused on your central idea;

●combines evidence from multiple sources with your own elaboration

to develop your ideas;

●is organized and includes transitions within and among ideas;

●provides citations for quoted material and source ideas; and

●demonstrates correct use of grammar and language appropriate to

the task.

You will use the guidelines and rubric included in this planning packet to plan
and draft this essay. When you have completed and reviewed all the
requirements included here, you will write your multi-paragraph essay for an
academic audience in the assignment space provided on TEAMS and submit
to your ELA teacher.
 Introductory Paragraph

Requirement #1: Your essay is focused on a central idea.

To begin, devise a your central idea that is evident in a clear and strong
thesis statment. One critical essay writing skill is to know how to restate the
test question into a statement. This will help focus your central idea and form
the thesis statement.

The Essay Question: Why do we continue to read Greek mythology

thousands of years later? What are the key characteristics of Greek
mythology that engage us? What interaction of characters, plots,
settings, and themes are most interesting and relevant for today’s
readers?

Now, break down the question into parts. Your draft should start
like the examples below. Try on these lines or adapt similar
sentences of your own:

Readers continue to read Greek mythology thousands of years later because.

. . (finish the statement)____ ___we would like to learn more about the past of
the god and goddess ______________________________________________________.

The key characteristics of Greek mythology that engage readers are. . .

(finish the statement) __the Characters because they woukd have to dive
deep into finding out how they act where they live and what their trates
are . _______________________________________________________________________.

Two myths that show the best interaction of characters, plots, settings, and
themes are “Insert Title_____________________________” and “Insert
Title__________________________” by translator and author Bernard Evslin.

Notice that the PURPOSE of the introductory paragraph is to set up the

plan for the essay’s central idea and thesis. The important details about
your chosen myth will comprise the main ideas in your body paragraphs.
Another note about the essay’s structure: you must discuss the essay details
in the exact order you introduced in the thesis statement (myth title 1 is
then discussed in body paragraph 2; myth title 2 is then discussed in body
paragraph 3). Using your notes from above, write a central idea focus with a
thesis statement in the box included here.
 Requirement #2: Your essay starts with an engaging lead.

What else do you need in an introductory paragraph? A lead or hook, of

course. Once you are satisfied with your central idea focus and thesis statement,
you will add a lead or hook before it. Included here are some examples of how
writers begin essays. Which one will you use? (Note: question or onamatoepia hooks
are inappropriate for this level of academic writing. Do not use.)

Ways to Begin an Essay: Types of Leads/Hooks

A. Announcement: Open your essay with an announcement about what is to

come. However, do not insult the reader by saying something like, “I am
going to tell you about Greek mythology. . .”

Example:

The day I learned about how Achilles’ mother dipped him in the
River Styx to make him an infallible action figure was the day I knew
I wanted to continue reading about Greek gods and heroes forever.

B. Opinion: Open your essay with a strong, even humorous, opinion. (No need
to say, “In my opinion” – the reader will know it’s your opinion, and this
wording like this weakens your academic writing.)

Example:

No one should have to share a room with a little brother. Most little
kids are pains in the neck, and they never listen. But my little
brother is a monster of the unknown, maybe even of Greek
mythology proportions. However, my little brother is just one
example of why today’s readers, readers like me, can find relatable
and engaging characters, plots, settings, and themes in Greek
mythology.

C. Quoted Words: Open with a quotation from a character from the story,
famous person, or scholar you like and work the quote to fit with your central
idea.
Examples:
Albert Einstein, one of the greatest scientists who ever lived,
once said, “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition
 from mediocre minds.” I consider this idea often, especially when
others criticize my creative ideas and dreams. I even believe his
opinion can extend to some of the greatest stories and conflicts of
Greek mythology because. . .
OR
Many teenagers enjoy reading the modern-day retellings of
Greek mythology by Rick Riordan. I agree with Rick Riordan’s belief
that “myths are universal and ingrained in our culture” (Thorpe,
para. 5). This is likely the reason why readers continue to read
Greek mythology thousands of years later.

(P.S. This is a great interview with Vanessa Thorpe if you want to use quotes
from it. Here is the link:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/dec/09/rick-riordan-interview-
heroes-olympus
D. Personal Experience: Open with something that has happened to you, a
personal experience, a memory moment, or aha moment that you can set up
and then connect the essay subject to the central idea.

Example:

I loved my grandmother more than anyone in the world, but I

never cried much when my grandmother died. I hadn’t been allowed
to attend the funeral because my mother thought I was too young. I
guess that is why I felt so sad. Sometimes when I couldn’t sleep at
night, I would try to talk to my grandmother in heaven. When I first
read the story of “Orpheus” in Greek Mythology, I understood his
grief. I, too, wanted to journey to the Underworld and bargain with
the dark Hades to see my loved one again.

E. Figurative Language: Begin with imagery that uses a simile, metaphor, or

personification.

Example:

Lately, the air has been cool. At my bus stop, the morning fog
clings to me like a dream. The wet, gray air hangs low and close to
the ground, making it difficult to see anything beyond my own hands
or feet. Some leaves rustled, and I wished those sounds were
theirs. I wished they were there, off in the distance, waiting, just
waiting for me in the dark trees, waiting for me to create a new
mythological tale that would bring my favorite Greek gods and
heroes back to life.
 F. The Dramatic Contrast and and Contraction Description Lead: A
description-type lead, but with a little something extra. . . .

Example:

I lost my security blanket, and I knew I wouldn’t make it through the

night without it. Perhaps, you would not find this to be an unusual or
upsetting situation for a young child. Except I am 42. And I am pretending
to be a super hero from Greek Mythology. Why, you ask? Why not? Greek
mythology from thousands of years ago continues to interest today’s
readers, especially pseudo superhero types like me.

Now, compose your own amazing lead in the box below. Then add your
thesis statement at the end so your introduction is complete. Include
transitional sentences that will help link your lead to the thesis statement.
Make sure the writing does not feel disjointed. Ask a teacher or peer for
feedback if you are unsure.
 Body Paragraphs

Remember when you restated the initial essay question when we first
started? Essay writers always restate the essay question. This is necessary
because the restatements evolve into the topic sentences of the body
paragraphs. The topic sentence is the initial foundation of your body
paragraph. Other important building blocks of the body paragraphs include
explanation, elaboration, and textual evidence with citation. Remember to
tell your reader all of the 5W’s and H’s (Who, What, Where, Why, When, and
How) from your article or story. The details matter greatly for they will
enhance the explanation of the body paragraphs.

Let’s look at how this works. . . .

From the introduction: The key characteristics of Greek mythology

that engage readers are. . .

becomes a topic sentence in the body paragraphs like,

A key characteristic of Greek mythology that engages readers is the

moving and emotional depictions of love and loss.

From the introduction: Two myths that show the best interaction of
characters, plots, settings, and themes are “Orpheus” and “Insert
Title__________________________” by translator and author Bernard Evslin. . . .

becomes a topic sentence in the body paragraphs like,

For instance, the myth “Orpheus” is an excellent example of a moving and

emotionl depiction of love and loss that many modern readers can relate to
and understand.

Remember to include and summarize the 5W’s and H. Use a

combination of summary, paraphrase, and direct quote with textual
citations to support your answer. Include references to literary or
academic vocabulary when you can.

This is what an explanation might look like in your body paragraph,

“Orpheus” is the love story of two married characters, Orpheus and Eurydice.
The tone is haunting and sad even today. After a tragic accident, Eurydice is
sent to the Underworld (Evslin 80). However, the skilled musician Orpheus
refuses to accept the fate of their marriage. He travels to the Underworld and
plays beautiful music to convince Hades to release the love of his life back to
him (Evslin 83). Hades agrees but only if Orpheus leads the way home
without looking back at the Underworld and trusting that Eurydice is behind
him. Hades warns, “if for any reason whatever you turn your eyes from
where you were headed and look back toward where you were—then my
leniency is revoked” (Evslin 84). Unfortunately, Orpheus does not trust that
Eurydice is there, and he turn back for one last longing glance at his soul
mate. Eurydice vanishes forever like a “spout of mist” (Evslin 86). Certainly,
many readers can relate to the lengths Orpheus is willing to go rescue his
love. Those same readers would also admire how much Orpheus’ music was
able to affect, convince, and tranform people’s opinions and attitudes. Lastly,
Orpheus represents the hopes of many of us--to someday be reunited with
our deceased loved ones.

Notice in the sample body paragraph above, the amount of transitional

words the writer used. Transitional words are a necessary courtesy of
academic writing; it’s like showing good manners and dressing up when you
eat out in a fancy location. Here is a list of transitional words you should try
in your essay practice:

 Addition: and, also, besides, furthermore, moreover, additionally, too,

likewise

 Contrast: but, however, although, though, yet, on the other hand, in

contrast, conversely

 Cause and Effect: therefore, thus, consequently, as a result, hence,

accordingly

 Sequence/Time: first, second, third, next, then, finally, meanwhile,

subsequently, before, after

 Example/Illustration: for example, for instance, namely, specifically,

to illustrate

 Summary/Conclusion: in conclusion, to summarize, in brief, overall,

in sum, to conclude

On the next page, practice putting everything together and composing your
own body paragraphs.
My Body Paragraphs