1. Macbeth Essay Writing Help

2. The Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is a brief, well-constructed statement that states what you will be proving in your writing.
It not only identifies the topic, but also makes an assertion about it.
It controls and directs the content of the essay: everything the writer says must be logically related to the thesis statement.
WHAT + HOW/WHY+ SO WHAT=THESIS

3. Body Thesis Statements
A Body Thesis Statement (or BTS) specifies which part of your main thesis you are focusing on for that section of your paper.
The number of BTSs the writer has is not the same as the number of body paragraphs the paper will have; a single BTS will likely equate to a few paragraphs in a paper.
BTS must be a direct connection between the body thesis and the main thesis
In an outline, the BTSs are the roman numerals. As and Bs are more likely to be paragraph. You will have paragraphs that have topic sentences that are not BTSs.
BTSs on formal outlines are roman numerals and should be written in complete sentences

4. Topic Sentences vs. Body Thesis
Main Thesis- The What+ How/Why+ So What= overarching argument for your entire essay.
Body Thesis (BTs)= part of the main thesis that you are arguing. You will have 2-3 of these in your essay.
Topic sentences= which part of the BTS that you are focusing on if you are switching to a new paragraph but still talking about the same BTS.

5. Body Thesis Statements
For each of of your body thesis statements, ask yourself the following:
Are you making an argument? Focus on the point that you are trying to make for that section of your paper.
Is it written in a complete sentence?
Does each BT relate back to your main thesis?

6. Essay Outlines
Main Thesis: Write out your main thesis in a complete sentence.
Body Thesis #1 (must connect to part of your main thesis that you are focusing on)
Evidence (Full quotes, cited correctly)
Analysis- doesn’t have to be in complete sentences, but can be.
analysis
Evidence
Analysis
Body Thesis #2 (must connect to a different part of your main thesis that you are focusing on than I)

7. Quote Integration
Don’t let quotes sit by themselves in a sentence. You have to set them up with context first!
Set up with context- tell us a little bit about what’s going on at the time of your quote and who is saying it.
Make sure it is fluent and smooth: can you read through it like a sentence without it sounding choppy or awkward?
Examples:
When Banquo is about to be killed by the murderers, he says, “It will be rain tonight” (III.iii.23).
After learning about Lady Macbeth’s suicide, Macbeth states, “She should have died hereafter” (V.v.20).
The witches foreshadow that noting will be as it seems through the use of the paradox that they chant in the beginning: “Fair is foul and foul is fair. Hover through the fog and filthy air” (I.i.12-13).

8. How to Analyze a Quote
Context: First, you need to know the context surrounding the quote. What is happening at the time? Who does the quote involve? Who is saying it and who are they talking about or talking to?
Unpack the quote-Based on what is happening, ask yourself:
Does the quote show us something about a particular character? Why is it important? What do we learn about this character that we didn’t know before?
Does the quote tell us something important about the plot? Is it foreshadowing something that is going to happen in the future that we need to know? What makes this important?
Are there important literary devices in the quote that you can pull out? Characterization? Strong images that stand out? Particularly strong word choice? Relevant motifs or symbols? Why are these things important to the story?
Do these quotes connect to themes in any way? If so, how? How does your quote contribute to the development of these themes?

9. Effect on the reader/audience
Analysis Pyramid
Technique
Author’s Purpose
Connection to Theme
Effect on the reader/audience

10. Terms Defined:
Author’s purpose: The author’s reason for the choices they are making.
Effect on the reader/audience: How does the reader/audience react to what is being said/what is happening? The author WANTS you to feel a certain way. Why?
Theme: The universal message the author is trying to send. The big picture takeaway.

11. Big Things With Evidence & Analysis
1. Tell me why your quote is important and how it proves your thesis.
2. Connect your quote directly back to your main thesis. Remember, your quote is your evidence that you are using to prove your thesis. If your quote is not related to your thesis, it shouldn’t be in your paper.
3. Do not use quotes to just show plot points. Use quotes that have greater significance to themes or key literary devices that Shakespeare is using to convey his message to the reader.
4. Analysis does not equal plot. Do not get caught up summarizing the plot. A little context is great in setting up your quotes, but I know the story and do not want to read a paper that retells the story of Macbeth. Stay focused on your argument and proving it vs. telling me the story.

12. How to Write an Intro Hook (1-2 sentences)
Integrated Quote
Anecdote
Interesting Historical or Literary Content
DO NOT START YOUR PAPER WITH A QUESTION
Introductory Content (2-3 sentences)
You should be introducing the reader to the topic and the topic’s context.
For Macbeth- give a brief summary of what the play is about and give some information on specific characters or aspects of the play that you will be focusing on.
Well-developed Thesis Statement (1 sentence)
What + How/Why+ So What

13. How To Write a Conclusion
A conclusion should…
stress the importance of the thesis statement
give the essay a sense of completeness
leave a final impression on the reader.

14. Conclusion Suggestions
Answer the question "So What?"
Show your readers why this paper was important. Show them that your paper was meaningful and useful.
Synthesize, don't summarize
Don't simply repeat things that were in your paper. They have read it. Show them how the points you made and the support and examples you used were not random, but fit together.
Redirect your readers
Give your reader something to think about, perhaps a way to use your paper in the "real" world. If your introduction went from general to specific, make your conclusion go from specific to general. Think globally.
Create a new meaning
You don't have to give new information to create a new meaning. By demonstrating how your ideas work together, you can create a new picture. Often the sum of the paper is worth more than its parts.

15. Avoid the formulaic: First, Next, Then, etc.
Transitions
Avoid the formulaic: First, Next, Then, etc.
The key to a solid transition is looking at the last sentence of the previous paragraph and finding a way to connect it to the first sentence in your new paragraph.
You will need to bring in transitions when:
Moving from BTS #1 to BTS #2 & 3 & so on
Moving from topic to topic within your BT with topic sentences for paragraphs that do not have BTs

16. Transition words
To add to something: Besides, equally important, finally, further, In addition to, Similarly,
To compare: When compared to, In contrast, Although it may seem,
To show exception: Yet, still, however, in spite of, despite, etc.
To show time: Immediately, thereafter, henceforth, etc.
To show sequence: Now, subsequently, previously, before this, after this, at this time, at this point, following this, etc.

17. Example Moving from BTS #1 to 2
Similar to the way Lady Macbeth’s characterization shifts dramatically throughout the play, Macbeth also experiences a dramatic change in character, changing from a loyal warrior to a murderous betrayer to reflect the theme of appearance vs. reality.

18. Example moving from BTS to BTS
Although Macbeth may seem to fit the tragic hero archetype through elements such as his tragic flaw and reversal of fortune, Macbeth is lacking in the aspect of noble birth, which prevents the reader from experiencing catharsis, proving that Macbeth is not a true tragic hero.

19. Example moving from BTS to Topic Sentence
Following Hamartia, the next element of the tragic hero archetype that Macbeth fits is the aspect of the reversal of fortune, which occurs when Macbeth’s plans to kill Fleance are foiled.

20. BTS to Topic Sentence
Although Lady Macbeth may seem to be incredibly tough and frightening in the beginning of the play, her characterization shifts dramatically to reveal her to be a person consumed by guilt and not as strong as she wants to appear to be.