1. Marriage Essay Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove...

2. Some Statistics--Grades z93-100“6” 1/38 3% z85-92“5” 5/38 14% z77-84“4”12/38 32% z69-76“3”12/38 32% z60-68“2” 6/38 16% zBelow 60“1” 0/38 0% Class Avg.: 76

3. Introduction Structure zBackground Discussion yAs illustrated on the outline sheets you were given zThesis Statement yShould be the last sentence of the introduction yShould make a specific statement about marriage yShould connect directly to both pieces of literature

4. Introduction Structure zBackground Discussion: In our society, marriage is based on love—a combination of attraction, shared interests, and deep friendship. It is supposed to last “til death,” but the reality is that many marriages die before the individuals involved. This death can be caused by people growing apart, the stresses of modern living, and other reasons, but one of the main causes of divorce in our society is infidelity, and this destruction has become the subject of many plots of film, television, and literature.

5. Introduction Structure zThesis Statement: Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton, both show that while unfaithfulness can overcome a marriage, a marriage that has a deep bond at its core can overcome infidelity.

6. Introduction Structure zShallow vs. Focused Thesis Statements yShallow: Marriage need love, trust, and faithfulness in order to survive. xBy focusing only one body paragraph on each topic, your essay lacks a vital depth of focus yFocused: While unfaithfulness can overcome a marriage, a marriage that has a deep bond at its core can overcome infidelity. xAllows you to investigate the topic in depth, examining its complexity.

7. Topic/Transition Sentences TS1: In Ethan Frome, Ethan and Zeena’s marriage is too weak to survive Ethan’s infatuation with Mattie. Trans: Like the Frome marriage, the Proctors’ marriage is threatened by infidelity. TS2: John Proctor’s affair with Abby, in The Crucible, creates an atmosphere of distrust in his marriage. Trans: Despite this pressure, however, the Proctors’ marriage survives. TS3: John and Elizabeth’s core love for each other allows them to overcome John’s affair with Abby by the end of the play.

8. Other Issues to Consider— Diction/Mechanics zInclude a title zQuote accurately—and provide a page citation zItalicize play and novel titles; zCapitalize and spell names correctly; zUse apostrophes—to show possession, not to make plurals zDo not write that combination third body paragraph (unless you have a completely different point to make); zProofread, spell check—show me that you care.