Writing the Gateway Essay

1. Writing the Gateway Essay The Body Paragraphs

2. The Body Paragraphs • Address the key points of the Gateway writing prompt in the body of your essay. Let’s look at this Gateway topic: • Writing Task – Explain how Odysseus’ journeys helped establish him as an epic hero. • Be sure to include: • Definition of the qualities of an epic hero • Details about his journey • Description of his perils which brought him to victory

3. Language Arts Example • Based on this topic, you will need to choose three qualities of an epic hero and illustrate these with specific information about Odysseus’s journey and the perils he faced.

4. Social Studies Example • Here’s another example: • Writing Task: • Discuss why the Nile River Valley was a suitable location for early civilizations. • Include the following: • The use of the land for planting crops • How the early settlers used the Nile for transportation • Importance of the Nile River Valley to the people of Egypt today

5. Organization of the Body Paragraph • Each body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that refers to a part of the thesis statement. Here is an example: • Thesis: Odysseus’ journeys helped to demonstrate the qualities of wisdom, strength, and leadership that can be found in an epic hero. • Topic Sentence for paragraph one: The adventure with the Cyclops illustrates the quality of wisdom found in an epic hero.

6. Use of Documents • Your Gateway Essay assignment will also consist of a variety of documents on your given topic. You will need to refer to and cite these documents in the body paragraphs.

7. Examples of DocumentsA passage • Document A – Odysseus: a Hero in Trouble • In Homer’s day heroes were thought of as a special class of aristocrats. They were placed somewhere between gods and ordinary human beings. Heroes experienced pain and death, but were always sure of themselves. Odysseus is different. He is a hero in trouble. We can relate to Odysseus because we share with him a sense of somehow being lost in a world of difficult choices. Like Odysseus, we have to scope with unfair authority figures. Like him, we have to work very hard to get what we want.

8. A Fact Sheet • DOCUMENT A • Fact Sheet – Nile River Civilization • The Nile River is the longest river in the world (4,160 miles) • The Nile has benefited the people of Egypt for thousands of years • Earliest civilization settled along the banks because of its fertile land • Today, the Nile River Valley make up 3 percent of Egypt’s land, but is home to more than 90 percent of its population • In ancient times, farmers utilized the annual floods to plant their crops in the rich soil deposited by the Nile • Dams were built to extend irrigation and allow planting of more than one crop per year. • The Nile is used to irrigate most of the land in Northern Africa. • (from Glencoe World Geography)

9. A Map

10. How to Cite the Documents • Once you paraphrase, quote, or refer to one of the documents, you will need to cite that source. • Simply name the document in parentheses after the information is given. (Doc. A)

11. Example • The adventure with the Cyclops illustrates the quality of wisdom found in an epic hero (Doc. B). Odysseus is faced with the challenge of saving his men from Polyphemus and bringing them safely back to the ship. He uses his wisdom by calling himself “Nhbody,” by maiming the Cyclops instead of killing him, and by tying his men under the sheep so they can escape. Odysseus exemplifies the quality of an epic hero that everyone can relate to because “ like Odysseus, we have to cope with unfair authority figures. Like him, we have to work very hard to get what we want “ (Doc. A).

12. Transitions • Finally, use transitional words and phrases to link the body paragraphs. Here is a list of commonly used transitions: • To give examples: for example, for instance, such as, specifically • To show cause and effect: therefore, hence, thus, as a result, resulting in, so, consequently • To contrast: nevertheless, however, but, on the other hand, in contrast, on the contrary, conversely, at the same time, still, although, even though, despite, in spite of • To show similarity: likewise, similarly, just as, equally

13. More Transitions • To concede: although, even though, of course, granted, while • To elaborate: in addition, additionally, moreover, also, furthermore • To emphasize: more importantly, most importantly, chiefly, indeed, in fact, primarily, no doubt • To restate: again, in other words, in effect, that is, in short • To indicate time: last, at last, eventually, before, after, afterwards, finally, during, then, when, as • To indicate place: to the right, to the left, in the background, in the foreground, in the distance • To conclude: thus, finally, in the end

14. Example Additionally, Odysseus illustrates his identity as an epic hero through his use of strength in the adventure with the Sirens.

15. Tips to Remember • When writing the body paragraphs of your Gateway essay— • be sure to create a topic sentence for each paragraph that refers back to the thesis sentence. • Support your topic sentence with information from the documents, as well as with your own knowledge. • Cite the documents in your paragraph. • Use transitions to link the paragraphs.