English · writing + Iliad

✍️ Claim, evidence, reasoning

In-class writing is half the quarter. A body paragraph is not a plot summary.

Claim — a sentence that takes a stand you can prove. (“Homer shows that a glorious victory can still be horrible.”)
Evidence — a short quotation or a concrete detail from the text (who does what, in which book).
Reasoning — explain how that evidence proves the claim. Don’t stop at “this quote shows it.”

Plot summary: “Achilles chases Hector around Troy.” That’s a fact, not a claim.

Claim: “Homer shows that even a glorious victory can be horrible, because Achilles defiles Hector’s body after killing him.” Then add a line from Book 22 and unpack it.

✏️ Annotation habits

Don’t turn in a blank page. A close-reading / annotation check expects marks already on the passage:

Underline or star the claim you’re building.
Box key words, names, and repeated images.
Note literary devices in the margin (epic simile, epithet, irony, imagery).
Write a one-line question or reaction where the tone shifts.

Book 16 close reading is due Mon Nov 16, 8:30 AM PT. Annotate before you upload.

⚔️ Glory and Horror of War — Tue Nov 17

In-class writing during the trip (Writing is 50% of the quarter). Be ready with at least one “glory” moment and one “horror” moment, each with evidence:

Glory: Patroclus in Achilles’ armor driving the Trojans back; Hector standing outside the walls to face Achilles.
Horror: Patroclus killed and stripped of the armor; Achilles piercing Hector’s tendons and dragging the body behind his chariot.

📖 Book 16 — Patroclus in Achilles’ armor

Achilles still refuses to fight, but he lets his closest companion, Patroclus, wear his armor and lead the Myrmidons.
The Trojans think Achilles has returned. Patroclus drives them back from the ships and kills many, including Sarpedon.
Apollo stuns Patroclus; Euphorbus wounds him; Hector kills him and takes Achilles’ armor.
Patroclus’s death is what finally brings Achilles back into the war.

⚔️ Book 22 — Achilles and Hector

Hector waits outside the walls of Troy. Achilles chases him around the city three times.
Athena tricks Hector into standing his ground. Achilles kills him with a spear thrust to the throat.
After the killing, Achilles pierces the tendons of Hector’s feet and drags the body behind his chariot.
He does not return the body until Book 24, when King Priam comes to the Greek camp to ransom his son.
Related reading: Book 22, p. 509–525, is due Mon Nov 30. The Book 22 quiz is Tue Dec 1, 8:30 AM PT.

🧠 Quick checks

Claim, evidence, then what? Reasoning that ties the evidence to the claim

Who wears Achilles’ armor in Book 16 and is later killed by Hector? Patroclus

What does Achilles do with Hector’s body in Book 22? Drags it behind his chariot