2012-2013+The+Odyssey

Ms. Halkovic English 9 Personal Narrative & Creative Illustration: Your Own Odyssey Homer's epic poem //The Odyssey// tells the story of Odysseus and his quest to get home from the war at Troy. On his journey home, Odysseus endures, suffers, learns, makes errors, and eventually overcomes the obstacles thrown in his path and makes it back to Ithaca. We learn about his home, the people he meets, and all of the various adventures he has. Most scholars view //The Odysseus// and Odysseus’ journey as symbolic of the journeys we all take as we make our way through life – complete with many ups and downs, successes and failures.

Now that you have read this story, it should be easy for you to write and create a “map” that represents your own odyssey or journey through life. While your life has just begun, all that you have experienced up to this point in your life has helped shape who you are today, and you should have some realistic hopes and dreams for your future. Your assignment is __twofold__ – a written essay AND a visual map of your personal odyssey.

For your own essay, consider your past and how you envision your future. You might write about a struggle or obstacle you have faced or have yet to face. You might write about your philosophy, hopes, or dreams. Ideas are listed on the back of this sheet. No matter what topic you choose, your essay (and corresponding map) must reflect several aspects of //The Odyssey//. **Make sure to include TWO of the following elements – not //literally//, but //figuratively//**. For example, you may include a difficult obstacle, which would represent the Cyclops, or you might include a mentor or someone who guided you, which would represent Athena.

Include TWO of the following as part of your essay:
 * 1) ** Ithaca ** : your external values, i.e., the ideas you value most outside yourself
 * 2) ** Cyclops/Scylla/Charbydis ** : the dangers and obstacles you encounter; your test of courage
 * 3) ** Sirens/Lotus Eaters/Calypso ** : distractions & temptations; your “island of trouble”
 * 4) ** Poseidon ** : people or things that block or redirect your path
 * 5) ** Penelope ** : those who remain loyal and faithful
 * 6) ** Athena ** : people who help you reach your goal; mentors; advisors
 * 7) ** Returning Home ** : reaching your mission or goal

Your goal is to write a __personal narrative__ that is 1½ to 2 pages in length (unless you really want to write 11,300 lines of narrative poetry as in //The Odyssey//?). Be sure to include the places, people, and events and things that are/will be important to you. The __map__ part of your essay is visual representation that is symbolic of your journey, an abstract or an interpretation, a map of your life. The finished products need to show some sequence of events/time changes. You will be graded on content and quality. The maps will be posted to our class wiki so that everyone has a chance to view each others’ visual odysseys.

Requirements:
 * essay is 1½-2 pages and follows MLA style (heading, title, & spacing)
 * essay includes //at least// two of the 7 Odyssey aspects (see list above)
 * essay is done in Google docs & final copy uploaded to Turnitin.com
 * odyssey map is completed using Prezi and includes at least 5 separate events with corresponding pictures and/or other media

Grading & Due Dates:
 * MHS writing rubric – test grade for essay; quiz grade for visual map

To access Prezi maps, please click on the class period whose maps you wish to view:
 * @Period 2
 * @Period 3
 * @Period 8