The Odyssey

Evidence Tracker
Directions: Use this graphic organizer evidence tracker to help you keep track of evidence as you
prepare for the essay you’ll be writing.

TIP: Use the document outline to jump to the headings for each prompt quickly!

Your evidence should include examples from the beginning, middle and end of the story, not just
one specific area. It should demonstrate how the prompt is being developed throughout the story
as a whole.

You will not be able to choose which prompt you will be writing your final essay on, so prepare
each prompt as if that is the one you will be writing.

Add more rows of evidence as needed, and remember that MORE IS MORE at this point. You will
be able to choose the best evidence later, but right now you need to collect as much as possible
so you have a lot to choose from.

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After you have collected sufficient evidence, you will be able to begin thinking about your thesis.

REMEMBER -- a thesis is the ANSWER the question in the prompt. You can’t answer the question
if you don’t have evidence to back up your claim.

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When you have collected all of your evidence and written your thesis, you can then begin
choosing the best evidence and organizing it into a thoughtful outline as you begin your drafting
process.
 Fathers and Sons
PROMPT: As discussed in class, the unabridged version of The Odyssey includes the Telemachia.
How does the inclusion of these books alter the story? What does this say for Greek culture? Why
does it matter for life today?

Introduce Evidence Quote from the text Justify

(What’s going on at the time?) (quote including MLA citation) (connection to your thesis)

THESIS:
 It’s Epic!
PROMPT: Epics play an important role for societies. Why are epics important today? Use specific
details from The Odyssey to prove and illustrate your point. What from Foster can you use to help
push your analysis deeper?

Introduce Evidence Quote from the text Justify

(What’s going on at the time?) (quote including MLA citation) (connection to your thesis)

THESIS:
 Monster Mash
PROMPT: Epics are about more than just heroes. What role do monsters play in the genre, and in
literature in general? Why should this be considered by contemporary audiences? Use specific details
from The Odyssey to prove and illustrate your point.

Introduce Evidence Quote from the text Justify

(What’s going on at the time?) (quote including MLA citation) (connection to your thesis)

THESIS:
 All the Single (?) Ladies
PROMPT: Epics are not always kind to their female characters. Pick one of the major female
characters from The Odyssey and explain her relationship with freedom in the ethos of her time. What
could she do? What should she have done? How did she find ways to challenge the values of her time
so she could be happy? Use specific details from The Odyssey to prove and illustrate your point.

Introduce Evidence Quote from the text Justify

(What’s going on at the time?) (quote including MLA citation) (connection to your thesis)

THESIS: