Sample Introductions

Rubric Scores for Introduction

• 4-The writer states a complex thesis and offers a critical context for discussion that presents the question at issue and presents the discussion through a critical lens.

• 5- The writer states a complex thesis and connects the question-at-issue to a larger societal issue (e.g., economic, environmental, historical, sociological), establishing the connection between a culture and its heroes.

• 6-The writer states a thesis, explaining her position clearly. The writer offers a specific context for discussion, referencing the question-at-issue explicitly and attempting to establish the significance of the topic.

• Beowulf takes place in Geat’s land which is modern day Sweden. Beowulf is a poem written by The Anglo-Saxons and passed down from generation to generation and the story is about a great Anglo-Saxon hero named, Beowulf. The poem is about all of Beowulf accomplishments like riding a village in Geatland of a great monster named Gendel . Beowulf has many Anglo-Saxon values, such as loyalty, Bravery, and Strength.

• Beowulf was a very different hero compared to people who we call heroes today.For example, who we consider a "hero" would be Batman because he protects the people and tries to keep the streets clean from any trouble. Beowulf also tries to help his people, but from protecting his people, he expects fame and loyalty from his warriors. Batman is a quiet man who doesn't want anybody to know his true identity and doesn't expect anything in return. The Anglo Saxons admired heroes more like Beowulf. Anglo-Saxons valued in a hero was being noble, seeking fame, and having courage.

• Since societies began telling stories, there were always stories of heroes. In modern US society, that means Batman, a selfless defender of crime who uses his strength and wit to beat the bad guys without giving away his actual identity as Bruce Wayne. For the Anglo Saxons, Beowulf, their super hero, was also strong and intelligent, but he was the opposite of anonymous. Because the Anglo Saxons lived in a society where fame was your only way to live on after death, Beowulf, who reflected the values of Anglo Saxon culture, frequently boasted about himself, discussing his “awesome strength.” Additionally, the constant fear of invasion from the Vikings made the Anglo Saxons fiercely loyal and protective of one another. Beowulf was an Anglo Saxon hero because he was boastful, loyal, and he protected his people from the dangerous monsters who attacked in the night.