1. BELLRINGER
Write a well-constructed sentence (or two) responding to the following:
When you sit down to construct an essay responding to a writing prompt, what is the first thing you need to do? EXPLAIN.

2. Lesson 1: Breaking Down the Prompt and Gathering Information
The Odyssey Essay Week
Lesson 1: Breaking Down the Prompt and Gathering Information

3. I Can… Analyze the prompt for the Culminating Writing Task.
(9-10.W.TTP.1)
Organize information to help develop and support a thesis.

4. How do I break down a prompt?
What is the prompt asking me to do?
Look for the verbs!
Go beyond “write an essay.”
Determine what you need to know to be able to respond to the prompt.
What prior knowledge is required?
IF the prompt is not a question, then turn it into one!
Why?

5. Work with your small group to answer the questions to the right based on the prompt below.
Some high schools require drug tests for all students who want to participate in a school sport. Before adopting this policy, your school’s principal has asked for student opinions. Write a letter to the principal stating your position. Support that position with reasons and examples. Persuade the principal to agree with you.
What is the prompt asking you to do?
Determine what you need to know to be able to respond to the prompt.
IF the prompt is not a question, then turn it into one!

6. Let’s See how this works!
What is the prompt asking you to do?
Determine what you need to know to be able to respond to the prompt.
IF the prompt is not a question, then turn it into one!

7. Let’s See how this works!
What is the prompt asking you to do?
Determine what you need to know to be able to respond to the prompt.
IF the prompt is not a question, then turn it into one!
This prompt is asking you to write a letter defending your opinion regarding drug testing for student athletes. You have to defend your position using “reasons” and “examples.” NOTE: If this was on a state assessment, we can assume you’d be given texts to reference in those “reasons” and “examples.”

8. Let’s See how this works!
What is the prompt asking you to do?
Determine what you need to know to be able to respond to the prompt
IF the prompt is not a question, then turn it into one!
This prompt is asking you to write a letter defending your opinion regarding drug testing for student athletes. You have to defend your position using “reasons” and “examples.” NOTE: If this was on a state assessment, we can assume you’d be given texts to reference in those “reasons” and “examples.”
You need data, evidence, anecdotes, etc. supporting your position on drug testing for student athletes.

9. Let’s See how this works!
What is the prompt asking you to do?
Determine what you need to know to be able to respond to the prompt
IF the prompt is not a question, then turn it into one!
This prompt is asking you to write a letter defending your opinion regarding drug testing for student athletes. You have to defend your position using “reasons” and “examples.” NOTE: If this was on a state assessment, we can assume you’d be given texts to reference in those “reasons” and “examples.”
You need data, evidence, anecdotes, etc. supporting your position on drug testing for student athletes.
Should high schools require drug tests for all students who want to participate in a school sport?

10. Work with your group to answer each of the questions below based on our writing prompt for this week!
Which is more important to the development of Odysseus’s character and a theme of the epic – the journey or the goal?
What is the prompt asking you to do?
Determine what you need to know to be able to respond to the prompt.
IF the prompt is not a question, then turn it into one!

11. This Week’s Prompt…
Which is more important to the development of Odysseus’s character and a theme of the epic – the journey or the goal?
What is the prompt asking you to do?
The prompt is asking you to determine whether the journey or the ultimate goal is more important to the development of a theme in the Odyssey and to the development of Odysseus as a character.

12. This Week’s Prompt…
Which is more important to the development of Odysseus’s character and a theme of the epic – the journey or the goal?
Determine what you need to know to be able to respond to the prompt.
You need to know how Odysseus is characterized and what the theme of The Odyssey is.

13. This Week’s Prompt…
Which is more important to the development of Odysseus’s character and a theme of the epic – the journey or the goal?
IF the prompt is not a question, then turn it into one!
No worries here…it’s already a question!

14. Group Work: Let’s work on what we need to know!
Use the board at the back of the room to answer each of the questions to the right.
Answer each question on a sticky note.
Place your sticky notes under their appropriate column.
If you finish early, then return to your group and discuss how you could defend your answers using EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT!
What are 3 words that you feel best characterize Odysseus BASED ON THE TEXT?
What is a theme in The Odyssey?

15. Time to make a big decision!
Place your work in the box at the front of the classroom when you finish!
Which is more important to the development of Odysseus’s character and a theme of The Odyssey—the journey or the goal?
Which is more important to the development of Odysseus’s character, the journey or the goal?
Which is more important to the development of a theme of The Odyssey—the journey or the goal?
Take out a clean sheet of paper, and put a proper MLA heading at the top of the page.
Write the prompt to the right that YOU will be responding to this week.
Determine if you will claim that the JOURNEY or the GOAL is more important and BRIEFLY explain WHY?
If you need help, then raise your hand.