Here's the topic:
Compare the theme of heroism as seen in readings throughout this semester. In particular, how did different cultures define what it means to be a hero? Pick four characters (each from a different work) and assess which one best and least exemplifies the heroic standards for his/her given culture and time. Which do you find to be most heroic and least heroic overall? Make sure to provide the specific reasons and textual examples from which you derived your conclusion.
The paper is supposed to be 5 pages, and is due in a couple of weeks. I need to write a thesis and outline and have it to the prof in a week.
Here's what I've got:
Heroes:
Job- Hebrew
Achilles- Greek
Gilgamesh- Mesopotamia
Don't know about the 4th one. . . :(
Where do I even start to make a thesis about this topic? We hardly did any work with them in high school and I tested out of all my English classes, so I'm not sure what to do! AHHH!!!
just do some resreach on web about greeks and you will find some thesis
So they have to be from different cultures, it seems. Ok-- how about a Roman hero?
Examine at least 10 different heroes from each of your different cultures (Hebrew, Greek, Mesopotamia, Rome?) and decide what predominant traits identify them as heroic. Then examine the heroes you picked (Job, Achilles, Gilgamesh, ________) and decide whether or not they fit their culture and how. As you research your characters and cultures, be sure to save the quotes and sources you use and include them in your text.
Neat topic! Good luck!
As you research your characters and cultures, be sure to save the quotes and sources you use and include them in your text.
That is the greatest advice for this. You really have a lot of freedom in how you go about it, as long as you keep track of the sources so that you can easily cite them later. You can just read about each hero, write notes, and watch for a theme to emerge. Enjoy your reading and note-taking, and make sure to include a citation for each note you take.
You can't expect to come up with a theme until you do a little reading. Otherwise, you'll be guessing. For example, you might argue that the four heroes all had "stubbornness" as a common trait. If you read about your four heroes, you might see that they were al known for being stubborn, so you can argue this way.
It will definitely be easier if you think of it as four papers as you start. Write about the three heroes you have chosen, and you'll suddenly decide on a fourth as you are writing.
When writing on a topic like this, where you aren't that familiar with the material, the best way to start is to do your research and start writing. Don't worry about the order of your ideas, or even if your ideas are right. Just get something down so that you have something to work with. That way, you won't feel the paralysis of staring at blank screen like an animal caught in the glare of someone's high beams. The important part of this approach is remembering afterward that it is okay to move stuff about, and even to delete entire paragraphs, if you decide they don't fit into the outline you develop.
Fourth can be Atilla from Huns ??
if you use different cultures which are far to each other you might have more to argue, I think.
And the topic is inspiring...
I assume you have to pick characters from texts you've covered in your course, yes? That's what your initial post seems to indicate. If you aren't limited to ancient heroes, though, you could always pick a more contemporary mythical hero, and maybe replace one of your others with a medieval-era hero, say Arthur. That way, you could trace the development of the hero across time as well as cultures. But again, I'm guessing your course focuses on ancient heroes specifically, so if you let us know who you've been studying, that would make it easier for us to make relevant suggestions.
What do these heroes have in common?
Perhaps when you read and find a common thing, you can use a similar word to describe all of them in a thesis statement for example:
characteristics, traits, qualities etc.
Well I e-mailed my professor with help on finding a fourth hero. But really, I need help with my thesis. Once I get that done, I think the writing will come easily. Any thoughts???
I have got the topic "children learn language more easily than adults"
and I really need help in the thesis statement. I guess as soon as i get it done well i could work on the rest of essay smoothly. so any suggestions???
So this is what he said:
I would choose another Greek hero from the same time period as Achilles. That way, you will only have to focus on describing the heroism of two cultures: Ancient Greece and Mesopotamia. Of course, the first character that comes to mind is Odysseus, but you could also choose Oedipus, Agamemnon, Patroclus, Creon, or even Antigone. Go back and skim through the excerpts that feature each of these characters. Then, you'll be able to decide exactly which one you want to do.
So I have my four, I just need a thesis on stupid heroism! How do I even go about doing this..
Stupid heroism! :)
Write a paragraph about each and post it. We'll see if a thesis presents itself. When you have written a paragraph about each, it is easy to see a thesis taking form. go back at the end and write it in an intro paragraph, AFTER most of the writing is done. You learn as you write, so it is easy to come up with a thesis at the end.
Your thesis might focus on either a common thread you can see that unites all four heroes in being heroic, or else on a significant difference you can see between the Greek and Mesopotamian heroes. As Kevin said, it will be easier to help you if you post write-ups for each ones so we can look for commonalities.
