Writing an essay is a lot like telling a joke; there is more than one way to do it. Most English classes, including this one, teach a 5-paragraph essay. This is a reasonable first step but just the beginning of your writing journey. The basic idea of a 5-paragraph essay is to:
Focus on writing three good body paragraphs that prove the thesis. If you do that, everything else falls into place.
You have already done the work to become very familiar with your theme in the last assignment. What do you think Shakespeare was trying to say about your theme? Look at the scenes you identified and try to see what conclusions they leave you with.
If you’re still stuck, consider asking for thesis suggestions related to your theme.
An effective approach, often attributed to Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People, is: “tell people what you’re going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you just told them.” This advice works well for the Introduction—Body—Conclusion format of essays.
Ensure your body is finished before writing the introduction or conclusion. Until you have a clear idea of what you’re trying to say, you can’t provide the necessary information.
A memorable way to explain paragraph writing is PEE: Point, Example, Explanation.
To add length to an essay, introduce additional Examples and Explanations for points without adding filler.
Start by claiming that you’ve proved your thesis, review your points again, and end with a generic statement.
You’re welcome to use language generation models to generate ideas or example paragraphs for inspiration. If you do, document any outputs used and provide a screencast explaining what you used and why. Understand the content well enough to explain it to someone else, ensuring you can recreate it in your own words.
Before you submit, please complete the Pre-Submission Self-Assessment.
Google Doc with body paragraphs followed by introduction and conclusion
Reflection video
If using LLM, a Google Doc with the generated content referenced
We are learning to:
Develop a clear, supportable thesis based on textual evidence from the play
Structure an essay using an introduction, PEE body paragraphs, and a conclusion
Integrate and explain quotations effectively to support claims
Reflect on writing strategies to improve future essays
I can:
Formulate a clear and supportable thesis related to the play
Write body paragraphs that follow the PEE (Point, Example, Explanation) structure
Construct an essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
Select and integrate relevant quotations and explain how they support my claims
Communicate ideas logically and use correct grammar and conventions
| Category | Level 4 | Level 3 | Level 2 | Level 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Knowledge / Understanding
How well does the student demonstrate understanding of essay structure and formatting?
|
Demonstrates a thorough understanding of introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion formatting | Demonstrates considerable understanding of introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion formatting | Demonstrates some understanding of introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion formatting | Demonstrates limited understanding of introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion formatting |
|
Thinking / Inquiry
How effectively does the student select points, evidence, and strategies to support the thesis and improve writing?
|
Selects exceptionally effective points and evidence and identifies very logical strategies for improvement | Selects effective points and evidence and identifies logical strategies for improvement | Often selects effective points and evidence and identifies strategies with some logic | Sometimes selects effective points and evidence and identifies strategies with limited logic |
|
Application
How effectively does the essay demonstrate and develop the thesis?
|
Essay demonstrates the thesis very effectively throughout | Essay demonstrates the thesis effectively | Essay mostly demonstrates the thesis with uneven effectiveness | Essay sometimes demonstrates the thesis |
|
Communication
How clearly and logically are ideas communicated?
|
Communicates ideas very clearly and logically | Communicates ideas clearly and logically | Often communicates ideas clearly and logically | Communicates ideas with limited clarity or logic |
Demonstrates a thorough understanding of introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion formatting
Demonstrates considerable understanding of introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion formatting
Demonstrates some understanding of introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion formatting
Demonstrates limited understanding of introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion formatting
Selects exceptionally effective points and evidence and identifies very logical strategies for improvement
Selects effective points and evidence and identifies logical strategies for improvement
Often selects effective points and evidence and identifies strategies with some logic
Sometimes selects effective points and evidence and identifies strategies with limited logic
Essay demonstrates the thesis very effectively throughout
Essay demonstrates the thesis effectively
Essay mostly demonstrates the thesis with uneven effectiveness
Essay sometimes demonstrates the thesis
Communicates ideas very clearly and logically
Communicates ideas clearly and logically
Often communicates ideas clearly and logically
Communicates ideas with limited clarity or logic