1. The Five Paragraph Essay
English 10
April 25, 2012
Ms. Haynes

2. Outline What is the purpose? How do I do it? Example – Antonio
Practice - Shylock
Closing

3. What is the purpose? Leave procedural instructions (ie. Cooking)
Tell a story
Argue a point
Prepare a report
Write your provincial exam!

4. Basic structure Introduction First point Second point Third point
Includes thesis statement
First point
Quote
Analysis
Second point
Third point
Conclusion

5. How do I do it? Decide on a topic
Shakespeare – Merchant of Venice characters
Antonio, Shylock
Prepare an outline or diagram of ideas
Christian, rich, merchant, good friend
Write your thesis statement
“Antonio is a virtuous man who risks everything for others”

6. Prepare argument
Write three sentences that outline what you will write in each paragraph
“Antonio is a virtuous man who risks everything for others”:
He is willing to help out Bassanio win Portia by lending more money to him
He frequently lends money to his friends and those who are trying to pay debts
He argues that the Duke must uphold Venetian law, even if it costs him his life

7. Figure out the ‘meat’ of essay
Find quotes that support your statements
Is willing to help out Bassanio win Portia by lending him more money
Act I, scene i (pg. 20), Antonio:
“Thou know’st that all my fortunes are at sea;
Neither have I money, nor commodity
To raise a present sum. Therefore go forth.
Try what my credit can in Venice do;
That shall be racked even to the uttermost
To furnish thee to Belmont, to fair Portia.”

8. Figure out the ‘meat’ of essay
Find quotes that support your statements
Frequently lends money to his friends and those who are trying to pay debts
Act III, scene iii (pg. 50), Antonio:
“He seeks my life. His reason well I know:
I oft delivered from his forfeitures
Many that have at times made moan to me.”

9. Figure out the ‘meat’ of essay
Find quotes that support your statements
3. Argues that the Duke must uphold Venetian law,
even if it costs him his life
Act III, scene iii (pg. 50), Antonio:
“The Duke cannot deny the course of law;
For the commodity that strangers have
With us in Venice, if it be denied,
Will much impeach the justice of the state,
Since that the trade and profit of the city
Consisteth of all nations.”

10. Explain the quote This is how you make your argument strong
You must be able to defend anything you say with evidence within the text
“Is willing to help out Bassanio by lending more money to win Portia” – Bassanio is his best friend who does not seem to have same relationship with anyone else and depends on Antonio for help
“Frequently lends money to his friends and those who are trying to pay debts” – Helps others less fortunate with his wealth, prevent receiving punishment
“Argues that the Duke must uphold Venetian law, even at his expense” – Such a good citizen, is willing to give up his life to maintain law and order

11. Write an introduction and conclusion
Introduction introduces essay
Includes your thesis statement and sentences that support your thesis
“Say what you’re going to say,
Say it,
Say what you have said”
Conclusion wraps up your argument
Rephrases what you said

12. Introduction
Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice is described as a romantic comedy, though it can also be seen as a tragedy. The main character, Antonio, is a great friend to those around him and is willing to sacrifice his life for them. When he is asked for a loan from Bassanio, Antonio tells him to go see a Jewish moneylender to see what Antonio’s name will get him. This creates the central crisis of the play: In order to get the loan, Antonio must sacrifice a pound of flesh if he cannot pay it back in time. Therefore, Antonio can be described as a virtuous man who risks everything for others.

13. Conclusion
Antonio will do anything for those around him. He is willing to borrow money from a Jewish usurer in order to help his friend Bassanio meet his love. Antonio agrees to a bond of three thousand ducats in exchange for one pound of flesh if the money is not paid back in three months. We find out Antonio’s wealth from his merchant ships all sink, and he is unable to pay back the loan. He is willing to sacrifice his life in order to help out his friends, and even strangers in Venice to avoid punishment from the same Jewish usurer.

14. Your turn!
Write a five paragraph essay describing the character of Shylock.
What about him? Is he good? Does he help others? Are his actions justified?
Due by Friday