1. HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY Statement Proof Commentary

2. THESIS STATEMENT This comes at the beginning of your essay. A thesis statement contains the topic you are writing about and your opinion (reasons why). A thesis statement should also name the author and text. Example: In Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet Mercutio is a highly developed character who has significant interactions with others, which helps develop the theme of those we spend time with significantly influence our lives.

3. STATEMENTS In an essay, your statements connect to your thesis. For example, the first reason you discuss in your thesis, will be the first point you discuss in your essay. Before the party, Romeo discusses a dream he has in which something bad will happen if he attends that party. This is where we see Mercutio having a significant interaction with Romeo.(Connected to thesis)

4. PROOF Proof is a quote from the text! This is what you should have highlighted in pink and proves how Mercutio is a highly complex character Tip: Citing a play is different. Remember (Act.Scene.Line) in Roman Numerals. You may have to look this up on Google! Example: Before the party, Mercutio, exclaims that dreams are for, “children of an idle brain, begot of nothing but vain fantasy” (II.II.ii-iv) Make sure your proof connects to your statement! Proof should show why the statement is true. (Mercutio having a significant interaction with someone else)

5. COMMENTARY Commentary is your own analysis of the quote and statement. Commentary is your ideas put into an articulate and academic way. This is where you connect the statement and the proof. How do they connect? YOU ARE NOT SUMMARIZING THE QUOTE! Ex: This piece of text allows readers to infer that Romeo ignored the dream because of Mercutio’s urging and attended the party anyway. The event shows that those we spend time with significantly impact our lives.

6. THINGS TO REMEMBER o No HIT LIST words o INTRODUCE YOUR QUOTES! Use your diction list for “said” words. o No Contractions! “They’re, we’re, couldn’t, shouldn’t- any word with an apostrophe (unless you’re showing possession.) o DO NOT USE “I”- this is NOT a personal narrative o This is an extended paragraph essay. Your thoughts should be concise, succinct and to-the-point.

7. ESSAY LAYOUT Paragraph 1: Thesis S (1-2) P(In quotation marks) C(1-2) Paragraph 2: Transition word S(1-2) P(In quotation marks) C(1-2) Conclusion(Summarizes thesis/main point. Connects main ideas together. (1-2)

8. PROMPT There are many ways a character can show complexity. Choose one character: Romeo, Juliet, or the Friar, who shows a trait of complexity, and discuss how that complex trait he or she possesses develops the theme of the play