EEssay that makes a meaningful comparison between the Iliad and The Odyssey.

the topics I chose to compare these epic poems are Honor, character traits, and the relationship of gods and mortals in Homer.

The Iliad and The Odyssey, poems created by Homer deal with struggles and hardships of mortal life. Although they are different in terms of setting, they have a vast similarity. Both these epic poems deal with the Honor, Relationships between gods and mortals, as well as character traits that define the characters tremendously.

Is this ok for my intro

DON'T start any paper's first draft by writing the introduction! How can you introduce a paper that you haven't written yet?

Follow the writing process, whether you're writing a paragraph, an essay, or a research paper … for science, history, English, or whatever:

Prewriting: Brainstorm, research, plan, outline, thesis statement

Writing: Write first draft by starting with section II of your outline; write the introduction after the body of the paper is written; write the conclusion last.

Polishing: Revise, concentrating first on the body of the paper, then the intro, then the concl (revision = making sure ideas are logical and sequential and support your thesis); proofread (spelling, grammar, usage, etc.)

Do you have a thesis yet? Have you done your brainstorming (and maybe research) yet? Have you written an outline?

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/catalogue.html#org
from http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/catalogue.html

http://www.angelfire.com/wi/writingprocess/

http://www.ipl.org/div/aplus/
Click on Step by Step for the process. Click on Info Search for help with researching.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
Check in the Essay & Research Paper Level.

To write an essay that makes a meaningful comparison between the Iliad and The Odyssey, focusing on the topics of honor, character traits, and the relationship of gods and mortals in Homer, there are a few steps you can follow:

1. Read both epics: Start by reading and understanding both the Iliad and The Odyssey. Take notes on key characters, events, themes, and the portrayal of honor and the relationship between gods and mortals.

2. Determine a clear thesis statement: Based on your reading, develop a thesis statement that makes a clear and arguable claim about the comparison of honor, character traits, and the gods' involvement with mortals in the two epics.

For example, your thesis statement could be: "While both the Iliad and The Odyssey emphasize honor and depict gods interacting with mortals, they diverge in their portrayal of character traits, with the Iliad focusing on martial bravery and prowess, while The Odyssey explores cunning and resourcefulness."

3. Outline your essay: Create an outline to organize your thoughts and arguments. Separate your essay into sections for each topic of comparison (e.g., honor, character traits, gods and mortals), and within each section, provide specific examples from both epics to support your claims.

4. Analyze the theme of honor: In the first section of your essay, compare how honor is valued, portrayed, and achieved in the Iliad and The Odyssey. Discuss the role of honor in shaping characters' actions and the consequences that arise from their pursuit of honor. Use specific examples from both epics to illustrate your points.

5. Compare character traits: In the second section, analyze and compare the character traits of the main protagonists (e.g., Achilles and Odysseus) and other notable figures in the epics. Explore how these traits align with or deviate from societal expectations of heroism and the impact they have on the characters' journeys and relationships with others.

6. Explore the relationship of gods and mortals: In the third section, examine the role of gods in the two epics and how they interact with mortals. Compare the gods' motivations, their influence on mortal lives and destinies, and how mortals respond to divine intervention. Analyze any differences in the degree of gods' involvement in the two epics.

7. Conclusion: Summarize the key similarities and differences you have discussed in your comparison. Reflect on the significance of these similarities and differences and their broader implications for understanding Homer's portrayal of honor, character traits, and the relationship between gods and mortals.

Remember to support each point you make with evidence from the texts and to analyze the significance of the similarities and differences you find, rather than simply listing them. By following these steps, you will be able to write a compelling and meaningful essay that effectively compares the Iliad and The Odyssey on the chosen topics.