Essay Format & Terms

Thesis Statement What you are trying to prove in your essay.

Supporting Argument/ Development Point A statement that supports the thesis in a more directed, specific way. (topic sentence of body paragraph)

Supporting evidence (supporting detail/examples) specific instance, situation quotation that is concise and fitting specific action DOES NOT summarize plot

Transition A word or phrase that makes a connection from one idea to the next.

Conclusion Introduction

INTRODUCTION 1. Introduce a general, thematic idea related to the thesis. 2. Explain how this idea applies to the work(s) and state the author. 3. Briefly explain premise of work as relevant to topic. 4. Preview the main points of the body paragraphs. 5. State the thesis.

1. Introduce a general, thematic idearelated to the thesis. While fate plays a role in the outcome of a tragedy, the central characters’ tragic flaws equally contribute to the disastrous consequences of the story.

2. Explain how this idea applies to the work(s) and state the author. While fate plays a role in the outcome of a tragedy, the central characters’ tragic flaws equally contribute to the disastrous consequences of the story. William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet portrays two tragic heroes who possess similar tragic flaws.

3. Briefly explain premise of work as relevant to topic. While fate plays a role in the outcome of a tragedy, the central characters’ tragic flaws equally contribute to the disastrous consequences of the story. William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet portrays two tragic heroes who possess similar tragic flaws. Both Romeo and Juliet are emotional, impulsive youths whose passion for each other facilitates their eventual demise.

4. Preview the main points of the body paragraphs. While fate plays a role in the outcome of a tragedy, the central characters’ tragic flaws equally contribute to the disastrous consequences of the story. William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet portrays two tragic heroes who possess similar tragic flaws. Both Romeo and Juliet are emotional, impulsive youths whose passion for each other facilitates their eventual demise. While both youths are flawed, Romeo’s flaws are more prominent as he has had more experience in love. Furthermore, he is far more impulsive than Juliet and cannot control his emotional rage.

5.State the thesis. While fate plays a role in the outcome of a tragedy, the central characters’ tragic flaws equally contribute to the disastrous consequences of the story. William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet portrays two tragic heroes who possess similar tragic flaws. Both Romeo and Juliet are emotional, impulsive youths whose passion for each other facilitates their eventual demise. While both youths are flawed, Romeo’s flaws are more prominent as he has had more experience in love. Furthermore, he is far more impulsive than Juliet and cannot control his emotional rage. Because his flaws are greater in number and more pronounced, Romeo is ultimately more responsible than Juliet for the two lovers’ fatal demise.

transition, topic sentence 3 supporting examples closing statement (Transition needed for 2 nd & 3 rd body para. only) BODY PARAGRAPH

Sample Thesis Statement Romeo is ultimately more responsible than Juliet for the two lovers’ fatal demise.

Because he has experience in romantic love, Romeo should be able to proceed with more caution than Juliet in their courtship. Even though Romeo has more experience in love, he still acts more impulsively than Juliet. In addition to his impulsive nature, Romeo’s failure to control his anger sets the play’s tragic events in motion.

Round 2: Lena Younger is the quintessential mother figure.