Outline

A Challenge for Life

II. Introduction (Use HATMAT). Basically, you will suggest that something interesting is
occurring in a particular work of literature.

A. Hook
B. Author
C. Title
D. Main characters
E. A short summary
F. Thesis statement – The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice helps us to understand our
attitude towards life challenges.

III. Paragraph 2: First Body Paragraph

A. Topic sentence= When we face challenges in life there are three obvious choices:
pursue our goal (fight), abandon and accept the consequences (flight), or do nothing
(freeze).
B. Context for the quote = After Eurydice dies, Orpheus does not hesitate to go to the
underworld and try to save her.
1. Who says it? = the narrator let us know the details of his descend
2. What’s happening in the text when they say it? Against all prognostics, he
defeats everything he passes by.
C. Quote from the text (cited appropriately) = “After Orpheus had mourned, and filled the
highs of heaven with the moans of his lament, determined also the dark underworld
should recognize the misery of death, he dared descend by the Taenarian gate down to
the gloomy Styx” (2).
Analysis of the quote: How does it prove your thesis? It illustrates how even when
Orpheus was moaning the death of his wife, and despite the low probabilities to survive
in the underworld, he embarks in this mission knowing the difficulties and the low
chances to succeed.
D. Closing sentence (wrap up the paragraph to effectively transition to the next paragraph)=
making the decisions in the right time shows our determination and willpower in life.

IV. Paragraph 3: Second Body Paragraph

A. Topic sentence= Usually challenges reveal our weaknesses or strengths and are
always a learning opportunity
B. Context for the quote = once in the underworld Orpheus starts singing and playing his
lyre
1. Who says it? Orpheus prays for the return of his wife
2. What’s happening in the text when they say it? The gods and evil spirits are
moved by his singing and accept to return Eurydice
C. Quote from the text (a specific example from the work used to provide evidence for your
topic sentence/support thesis). “O deities of this dark world beneath the earth! this
shadowy underworld, to which all mortals must descend! (…) my darling wife stepped on
a viper that sent through her veins death-poison, cutting off her coming years. If able, I
would bear it, I do not deny my effort — but the god of Love has conquered me …”(3)
 D. Analysis of the quote: (your explanation and interpretation of the concrete detail. It
explains how the concrete detail proves the thesis = Orpheus trusts his strengths to
achieve is goal; his eloquence and talent allow him to convince people in the underworld
and eventually recover his wife.
D. Closing sentence (wrap up the paragraph to effectively transition to the next
paragraph.
After a crucial incident in life, we will always be able reflect and judge our actions

VI. Conclusion

A. Summarize your argument.

B. Extend the argument.
C. Show why the text is important.