This study sheet will help you to write a rough draft of the writing assignment that you will revise later on. Answer the following questions as you work through your study to build a strong and successful essay.

Table of Contents

Your Assignment

For this assignment, you will be writing an argument. Choose a side and argue: In writing from Grendel’s perspective, Gardner is trying to make us sympathize with Grendel, or Gardner is trying to make Grendel seem more monstrous. Based on your opinion on this subject, you will write a five-paragraph argument that makes a claim and a counterclaim and supports your argument with solid evidence from Grendel.

Write a short answer to each question.

1. Take a moment to consider your opinion about Gardner’s decision to write his novel from Grendel’s perspective. Do you think this perspective makes Grendel seem more sympathetic or more monstrous?

2. Based on your response to question 1, develop the central claim for your argument.

3. What evidence from the reading will you provide to support your claim? Make a list of dialogue, language, and scenes from the text and briefly describe how each example supports your claim.

4. Copy the evidence you listed in question 3 and paste it here. Next to each piece of evidence, briefly write down how it relates to your claim.

5. Choose which pieces of evidence you will use in your essay to support your claim.

6. What central counterclaim will you address in your essay?

7. What rebuttal will you provide to that counterclaim?

8. What evidence will you use from Grendel to support your rebuttal?

9. How will you integrate logos, ethos, and pathos into your argument?

10. How will you hook your audience at the start of your introduction paragraph?

11. Write the introduction of your argument. Be sure to open with a hook, state your claim and touch on your counterclaim, and prepare your reader for how you will make your case.

12. Write your three body paragraphs. Organize each paragraph around two or three pieces of evidence from the reading that support your central claim. Each body paragraph should deal with a specific aspect of Grendel’s nature or a particularly relevant section of the novel. It should also address the central counterclaim in some way.

13. Write your conclusion. Remember to remind your audience of your claim, address the counterclaim, and create a sense of closure.

14. Now that you’ve written all your paragraphs, put them together here, adding transitions between paragraphs to show the connection between your reasons.