Writing an essay is a lot like telling a joke; there is more than one way to do it, but the timing and structure have to be just right for the "punchline" (your thesis) to land. Most English courses start with the 5-paragraph essay. While it is just a starting point for your writing journey, it is a powerful way to organize your thoughts so an audience can follow you easily.
The goal is simple: pick something you can prove about the text (your thesis), find three pieces of evidence, and explain how they prove your point.
You have already done the hard work of identifying a theme in Macbeth. Now, ask yourself: What was Shakespeare actually trying to say about that theme?
Focus on your body paragraphs first. If you build three strong body paragraphs, the rest of the essay usually falls into place. Each paragraph should follow the Point, Example, Explanation flow:
Following the classic advice of "Tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them," you will wrap your body paragraphs in an Introduction and a Conclusion.
A Note on AI: You are welcome to use an AI to help brainstorm points or see example paragraphs for inspiration. However, you must document any AI-generated content and be able to explain exactly why you chose to use (or change) it in your reflection video.
Before you submit, please complete the Pre-Submission Self-Assessment.
A Google Doc containing your body paragraphs followed by your introduction and conclusion
A reflection video reviewing your creative process and choices
(If applicable) A Google Doc documenting all AI-generated prompts and outputs
We are learning to:
Develop a clear, supportable thesis based on textual evidence from the play
Structure an essay using a formal introduction, PEE body paragraphs, and a conclusion
Integrate and explain quotations effectively to support academic claims
Reflect on personal writing strategies to identify areas for future improvement
I can:
formulate a clear and supportable thesis that connects deeply to the play
write body paragraphs that strictly follow the PEE (Point, Example, Explanation) structure
construct a full essay with a logical flow from introduction to conclusion
select and integrate relevant quotations, explaining their significance to my argument
communicate my ideas logically using correct Canadian English grammar and conventions
| Category | Level 4 | Level 3 | Level 2 | Level 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knowledge/Understanding | Demonstrates a thorough and nuanced understanding of essay structure and formal formatting | Demonstrates considerable understanding of introduction, body, and conclusion formatting | Demonstrates some understanding of essay structure and formatting | Demonstrates limited understanding of formatting |
| Thinking/Inquiring | Selects exceptionally effective evidence and identifies very logical strategies for improvement | Selects effective evidence and identifies logical strategies for improvement | Often selects effective evidence and identifies strategies with some logic | Sometimes selects evidence with limited logic or effectiveness |
| Application | Essay demonstrates and supports the thesis with exceptional consistency and depth | Essay demonstrates the thesis effectively throughout the text | Essay mostly demonstrates the thesis with uneven effectiveness | Essay sometimes demonstrates the thesis |
| Communication | Communicates complex ideas with a high degree of clarity, logic, and professional polish | Communicates ideas clearly and logically | Often communicates ideas clearly and logically | Communicates ideas with limited clarity or logic |
Demonstrates a thorough and nuanced understanding of essay structure and formal formatting
Demonstrates considerable understanding of introduction, body, and conclusion formatting
Demonstrates some understanding of essay structure and formatting
Demonstrates limited understanding of formatting
Selects exceptionally effective evidence and identifies very logical strategies for improvement
Selects effective evidence and identifies logical strategies for improvement
Often selects effective evidence and identifies strategies with some logic
Sometimes selects evidence with limited logic or effectiveness
Essay demonstrates and supports the thesis with exceptional consistency and depth
Essay demonstrates the thesis effectively throughout the text
Essay mostly demonstrates the thesis with uneven effectiveness
Essay sometimes demonstrates the thesis
Communicates complex ideas with a high degree of clarity, logic, and professional polish
Communicates ideas clearly and logically
Often communicates ideas clearly and logically
Communicates ideas with limited clarity or logic