Informative/Explanatory Essay (Oedipus as Tragic Hero)
Lessons Learned
COMPLETE THE PRE-WRITING SHEET BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR ESSAY!
USE THE OEDIPUS OUTLINE THAT MRS. SPRIGGS PROVIDED!!! Yes, this will be the item that takes the longest amount of time. However, once you are finished, you simply need to copy and paste the outline into the Sample MLA Paper, delete the outline material (Roman Numerals, letters, explanation, etc.) and make sure you break your paper into paragraphs. If you do this correctly and check for grammatical errors, your paper should receive a high score. There is an extremely high risk for failure on this major assessment if you choose not to use the outline or the sample MLA paper.
Introduction
1. You need an attention getter (something as simple as asking a question relating to topic)
2. Provide a definition of the overall topic you are discussing. If Mrs. Spriggs gives you a definition, it's a good idea to use that one :).
3. Your thesis should be one sentence containing your 3 main ideas. These ideas should be listed from weakest to strongest.
4. Your thesis should be the last sentence in your introductory paragraph.
Body Paragraphs
1. The topic sentence (1st sentence in paragraph) of each paragraph should clearly connect to the thesis (should be first idea listed in thesis). Your topic sentence should begin with a strong transition (initially, furthermore, ultimately NOT first off, next, secondly).
2. Include 2 examples of support (quotations).
3. Explain the significance/importance of these examples/quotes. How does this evidence support the main idea (topic sentence) of this paragraph? Do not simply summarize the quote.
4. Make sure you understand the quotes you use. Example- "You are the murderer whom you seek." If you explain that this quote as Oedipus blaming Teiresias, this is incorrect.
5. Body paragraphs should build from strong to strongest.
6. Your body paragraphs should have transitions within each paragraph introducing specific examples (for example, for instance, to illustrate).
7. Don't abruptly stop your paper when you meet the minimum page requirements. Your paper should still have an intro, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Conclusion
1. Your conclusion should restate the thesis. It also must elaborate on the significance/importance of the evidence presented in the paper.
MLA Formatting
1. Times New Roman Font; size 12
2. One inch margins
3. Header in upper right hand corner with student's last name and page number
4. The Work Cited page is at the end; it should start on a new page
5. Parenthetical citations must be included for every quote used.
6. The period for the sentence goes AFTER the parenthesis. For example, Oedipus said, "Ah why should a man respect the Pythian hearth. They prophesied that I should kill Polybus...no they are empty words" (Oedipus 2. 915-923).
7. Each paragraph should be indented only once. There should not be extra spacing between paragraphs.
8. Remove the speaker identification from the parenthetical citation (Oedipus speaking to Creon). Mrs. Spriggs provided this on the quotation sheet only to help you remember the context of the quote.
Style
1. Do not use contractions (don't, isn't, won't)
2. Do not use first person point of view (I, we, my) or second person point of view (you, your)
3. Vocabulary-avoid using conversational vocabulary (Oedipus messes up, the story starts off good, things go downhill, alot, etc.) Use the 101+ Power Verbs link. Highlight words on Word and choose "synonyms" if you're having a hard time finding a better word.
4. Avoid exclamation marks, all caps, bold, etc.
Proofreading
1. Check for obvious errors (repeated words, misspellings, lack of punctuation)
2. Print the rubric and check your paper against the requirements of the rubric
3. Don't start sentences with and or but.