English 1 Essay for Romeo and Juliet

Common Core Essay Prompt for Romeo and Juliet:

In your study of Romeo and Juliet , you have focused on key scenes that highlight the quandaries Romeo and Juliet
faced. You have analyzed the reasons for their choices, based on the many factors that influenced them. You will
read others opinions and related readings to better understand these factors. In consideration of what these many
sources communicate about Romeo and Juliets end, write an essay in which you discuss and analyze:

Who or what is to blame for Romeo and Juliets deaths?

Be sure to:
-Organize your ideas effectively and coherently in your writing, including an i ntroduction that hooks your reader and a
conclusion that leaves your reader thinking
-Choose a particular person/group that is to blame and develop your argument for this in your first two body paragraphs
-Develop a counterclaim and discuss why it is invalid in your third body paragraph

-Draw on textual evidence from Romeo and Juliet as well as at least one of the three articles we have discussed in class
-Make sure all quotes are properly cited:

words from R&J (Shakespeare line #-#). OR words from article (authors last name #).
-Make use of transitional words/phrases to make your writing flow and your argument clear
-Dont use dead words, (I, me, my, we, us, you, your, youre, yours), unless its in a direct quote

Formatting:
1. Brainstorm, outline, and rough draft can be handwritten or typed
2. Final draft must be typed, double spaced, Times New Roman 12 point font.
a. You will need to turn in a printed copy by the beginning of 7th period on the due date. You can
print on campus at the library, computer labs, and Career Center

Points:
Brainstorm/Quote Assignment- 10 points
Outline- 20 points
Rough Draft- 20 points
Final Draft- 50 points
Total: 10 points

Due Dates:
Brainstorm/Quote Assignment- April 4th
Outline- April 7th
Rough Draft- April 11th
Final Draft- April 28th
I will also collect your Brainstorm/Outline Assignment, Outline, and Rough Draft on April 28th

Outline Template for Essay

Directions: On a separate sheet of paper, copy all the bolded parts of this outline. Then, fill in the outline with the
information you plan to include in your essay. You can write this information as bullet points or sentences.
Introduction:
Attention Getter: quote, question, fact, statistic, anecdote, etc. Be sure to tie your attention getter to the rest of
the introduction. 1 sentence
Brief Summary: Introduce title/author; give a summary of the story 2-3 sentences
Ex: In the play Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare,.
Thesis: Your argument about who/what is to blame for Romeo and Juliets death and two reasons why.
Ex: ________ is to blame for the death of Romeo and Juliet because reason #1 and reason #2. 1 sentence

Body #1:
Topic Sentence: Introduce paragraph (1st reason why _______ is to blame) 1 sentence
Evidence: Properly cited quote with a lead-in (from R&J or an articlemust use both at some point) 1 sentence
Explanation: Your words/opinions, etc. on the quote. Explain what the quote says and the context of the quote.
Explain how the quote shows that _______ is to blame because of reason #1. 2-4 sentences
Evidence: Properly cited quote with a lead-in (from R&J or an articlemust use both at some point) 1 sentence
Explanation: Your words/opinions, etc. on the quote. Explain what the quote says and the context of the quote.
Explain how the quote shows that _______ is to blame because of reason #1. 2-4 sentences
Concluding Thought: Explain how this reason lead to their deaths 2 sentences

Body #2:
Topic Sentence: Introduce paragraph (2nd reason why _______ is to blame) 1 sentence
Evidence: Properly cited quote with a lead-in (from R&J or an articlemust use both at some point) 1 sentence
Explanation: Your words/opinions, etc. on the quote. Explain what the quote says and the context of the quote.
Explain how the quote shows that _______ is to blame because of reason #2. 2-4 sentences
quote with a lead-in (from R&J or an articlemust use both at some point)
Evidence: Properly cited 1 sentence
Explanation: Your words/opinions, etc. on the quote. Explain what the quote says and the context of the quote.
Explain how the quote shows that _______ is to blame because of reason #2. 2-4 sentences
Concluding Thought: Explain how this reason lead to their deaths 2 sentences

Body #3: COUNTERCLAIM

Topic Sentence: Introduce counterclaim. Some people believe that ________ is responsible for Romeo and
Juliets death. 1-2 sentences
Evidence: Detailed summary of counterclaim. Counterclaim can be another person or thing that can be blamed
for Romeo and Juliets death. 1-2 sentences
Explanation: Your words/opinions as to why this claim is NOT as valid/good as who or what you blame for
Romeo and Juliets death 3-4 sentences
Concluding Thought: Tie this paragraph back to your thesis/argument 1 sentence

Conclusion:
Restate: In different words, remind the reader of your thesis/points of argument 1-2 sentences
Tie to the bigger picture: think outside the small word of the story/sources and make a general
comment/connection that applies to society as a whole; make a personal connection. Leave your reader thinking!
3-4 sentences