Formal Essay Writing: Advice enhancing Macbeth Paper Writing

Thesis: Rubric Scoring Exceeds standard (5) Approaches standard (2) **Barely attempts to make an argument **Poorly written and/or unclear **Placed appropriately in the paper ** Unique, highly individual and a clear, provable argument **Coherent and written in an exemplary fashion **Placed appropriately in the paper

Body Thesis Sentences: Body Paragraph Topic Sentences Without a BTS, you waste an important opportunity to show how that paragraph connects to the whole thesis and shows the development of your argument. Strong BTSs and CSs are necessary for a 10 in Analysis and Organization

Body Thesis Sentences: Body Paragraph Topic Sentences

Body Thesis Sentences: Body Paragraph Topic Sentences

Body Paragraphs Without a BTS, you waste an important opportunity to show how that paragraph connects to the whole thesis. Strong BTS/CS necessary for a 10 in Org. Write about fiction in the present tense. Really evaluate whether or not you need a transitional word, phrase, or sentence. Avoid obvious or “to + word” transitions You may need more body paragraphs to prove your thesis than you originally plan to use.

Introductory Paragraphs Must introduce the title and the author of the work before any characters, settings, or context Italicize titles of plays, poems, songs and magazines Underline (when handwriting) or italicize (when typing) book titles Never write a title two times in an intro paragraph

Introductory Paragraphs Integrate phrases, using commas, to show relationships between just-introduced characters Macduff, Macbeth’s confidante, … Obierka, Okonkwo’s longtime friend, … Also a good strategy in body paragraphs

Avoid the following weaknesses to have powerful literary analysis: Generalizations Rhetorical questions Absolute claims Speculation “Shakespeare must have been a fair man … “Shakespeare believed in equal rights … “The ending of Macbeth is what the audience wants to see …” “ … the outcome of Macbeth would have been different.”

Body Paragraphs Always use evidence from the whole play to prove your thesis If you only reference half the book it looks like you didn’t finish reading or the rest of the book disproves your thesis Don’t refer to important plot points without using quotations. Refer to the “exposition” rather than the beginning—speak in a formal literary register.

One-Paragraph Responses A thesis that exceeds the standard is essential. Evidence must be nuanced and integrated fluently.

Editing for Brevity ING words TO BE verbs PREPOSITIONS “Macbeth is killing … “Macbeth kills … “Okonkwo is shooting … “Okonkwo shoots … PREPOSITIONS

Words to hesitate and thoughtfully consider before using in formal writing Words that lead to generalization Words that lead to speculation many people society similarities differences diverse various several everything would could should might *Use of speculative words is sometimes appropriate in history but never in language arts