The Crucible Paper

Paper requirements 2½ - 3 pages 12 pt. Times New Roman font 1 in. margins MLA heading and citation style

What you need to do: Discuss how your character is depicted in the beginning of the play; make sure you provide support from the text. Identify a defining moment for the character. Discuss how the character changes after that defining moment; again, you need to provide support. Develop the theme from your thesis statement throughout your paper; how is it expressed and why is it important to both the character and the play as a whole?

Schedule We will be working on rough drafts for the rest of the week and next week. I expect you to be writing, one way or another—no excuses. You can bring a laptop if you have one. You can write by hand. Thesis+topic sentences tomorrow; has to be approved You must bring a completed rough draft by class on Wednesday (11th), when we return from break. We will then be working on final drafts next week. Again, same expectations as above. Final drafts will be due on Sunday (15th)

Sample thesis statements In Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, … John Proctor experiences a defining moment in his life that illustrates the play’s theme of integrity versus hypocrisy. (OR the theme of reputation versus shame) Reverend Hale experiences a defining moment in his life that illustrates the play’s theme of law versus grace. (OR the theme of confidence versus doubt) Abigail Williams experiences a defining moment in her life that illustrates the play’s theme of moral versus immoral. (OR the theme of responsibility versus blame) Elizabeth Proctor experiences a defining moment in her life that illustrates the play’s theme of forgiveness versus bitterness.

John Proctor Defining moment: When he confesses to lechery When Elizabeth gets arrested When he takes back his confession/tears it up When he rejects Abigail (Act 1) When he goes to the courthouse with Mary Warren When he is accused and says “God is dead” His conversation with Elizabeth at the jail (Act 4) Before the defining moment: Hypocritical (hates Parris for being vain, but is vain himself) Calls himself a good Christian but he cheated on his wife

Reverend Hale Defining moment: When he quits the court (Act 3) When he admits he feels guilt (“Blood on my head”) When he says “It is a lie!” (Act 4) When they come to arrest Elizabeth and he admits doubt When he comes to try and convince the accused to confess

Abigail Williams Defining moment: Her conversation with John (Act 1) When she threatens the girls and comes up with a story When John confesses and she realizes she is not going to be with him When she stabs herself to accuse Elizabeth When she decides to accuse/blame Tituba

Elizabeth Proctor Defining moment: Her conversation with John in the jail When she lies to the court about John’s affair When she realizes Abigail is going to try and get rid of her

Academic Writing

Literary Analysis – What it’s NOT Summary Do not summarize any plot unless you plan on discussing it afterwards—period. Narrative Do not use any first-person pronouns, e.g. “I was reading The Crucible and I thought to myself, ‘blah blah blah…’”

Thesis statements A thesis statement offers a concise summary of the main claim of your paper. It should be stated at the end of your introduction. In fact, you may not even want to bother with an intro… The statement should be developed, supported, and explained in the body of your paper by using examples and evidence.

Literary Analysis – What it IS

Topic sentences A topic sentence introduces both a topic and a claim about the topic A good topic sentence is focused, specific, and exceptionally clear Topic sentences should be at the beginning of your paragraphs They tell the reader what you will be discussing in the body of the paragraph

Body of a Paragraph Your paragraphs for papers in this class should be at least ten sentences long. You need to fully develop the topic and claim from your topic sentence in the body of your paragraph Make sure you know what your paragraph should accomplish before you write it. Don’t write yourself into your topic sentence

Body Paragraph

Conclusions NEVER introduce any new ideas or information in your conclusion. In a conclusion, you should restate your main idea (thesis) as well as summarize the claims you made to support it.

Conclusion

Transitions Transitions carry the reader from one idea to the next. They should help the reader see the connection or relationship between ideas. They also prevent sudden, jarring leaps between topics.

Transitional Words Agreement: Furthermore, In addition, Not only… but also, Of course, etc. Comparison/Opposition: By comparison, In contrast, Even though, On the other hand, etc. Effect/Cause: As a result, Consequently, Therefore, Accordingly, With ____ in mind, etc. Conclusion: As can be seen, Given these points, As shown above, Altogether, Ultimately, etc.