English 10 – Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
Research-based Essay (MLA) – Brutus: Hero or Traitor?
Et tu, Brutè?—
Step One: Set a PURPOSE
Then fall,
Caesar.
(3.1.85)
Essay Prompt:
Even though he led the conspiracy against Julius Caesar, Marcus Junius Brutus
(84-42 B.C.) enjoyed a reputation in his day among Roman republicans as a
noble and fair-minded statesman. However, his opponents—notably
supporters of Caesar—regarded him as a traitor. (http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xJuliusCae.html)
Was Brutus a villainous traitor or selfless hero? In an argumentative essay, take a stand on this
question. Analyze and gather evidence from famous heroes in history as well as from Shakespeare’s
depiction of Brutus in order to support your argument.
A. In order to determine whether or not Brutus qualifies as a hero, you need to establish criteria
for judging him. What are the characteristics of a hero? Below, check the three characteristics
you think are MOST important.
 Brave / Courageous
 Altruistic (puts others first, risks or gives life for others)
 Clever
 Visionary (has far-reaching ideas)
 Good / Moral (strong beliefs or principles)
 Has integrity (stands up for what s/he believes and acts accordingly)
 Tenacious (keeps going despite challenges)
 Decisive
 Focused / Single-minded (has a purpose)
 Inspiring / Charismatic
 Determined
 Ambitious
 Wise
 Honest
 Kind / Compassionate
 Just and fair-minded
B. List your THREE characteristics below. These are your FOCAL POINTS for research:
a.
b.
c.
Step 2: Locate and Select Resources / Create a Bibliography
Find, read, and select resources on heroes in history who have made sacrifices for their country
and/or its people.
1. Choose TWO heroes from the list below. These people should exemplify two or more of the
characteristics you chose in Step 1. To help you make your decisions, read the overview of each
person bookmarked for you on the library’s website.
www.broncolib.com > English (hover) > English 10 Caesar > Click HERE > pw = broncos
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
Aung San Suu Kyi
Nelson Mandela
Desmond Tutu
Ida B. Wells-Barnett
Oskar Schindler
Kailash Satyarthi
Raoul Wallenberg
Oscar Romero
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Florence Nightingale
2. Using Biography in Context OR PowerSearch (databases), find one more biographical source for
each hero you chose from #1. (These should be DIFFERENT sources from the sources in #1
above.)
www.broncolib.com > English 10 Caesar > Biography in Context or PowerSearch >
pw = broncos
3. After you choose one more source for each, you will have FOUR sources total (two per hero).
 These sources should contain examples of how the hero exemplifies one or more of the
important characteristics of a hero.
a. DOWNLOAD each source into your Google Drive.
Tools > Download > Save to Google Drive > Download
b. Complete a row on your SOURCE SELECTION FORM for each source you select (include
the two you chose in #1). See the Google Doc copy on library website:
 www.broncolib.com > English (hover) > English 10 Caesar.
 Make your own copy of this doc in order to complete it.
c. CITE and ANNOTATE your source:
1. Keep your source open in the database.
2. Open a new tab. Go to EasyBib and log in. Enter our coupon code: cngr2015.
3. Create a project in EasyBib for this assignment.
New Project > Project Name (Hero or Traitor) > Create
4. Open your Bibliography for the project.
5. Go back to your source in the database. Find TOOLS (right side).
6. Click Citation Tools.
7. Click EasyBib (under Export).
8. Your citation for this source should now be in your bibliography for this project.
9. ANNOTATE: under each citation, click Edit > Add Annotation (type your justification
paragraph from your source selection form into the box) > Update Citation
Step 3: Take Good Notes
Use EasyBib.com to create a minimum of 36 NOTECARDS from the sources you selected.
NOTES REQUIREMENTS:
1. 10 notecards for each characteristic (focal point) from your biographical sources on heroes
(3 characteristics of a hero, 10 notecards each = 30 notecards)
 These notes should show how the hero(es) exemplify the characteristic.
2. 2 notecards per characteristic on Brutus (lines from the play).
(3 characteristics of a hero, 2 notecards on Brutus each = 6 notecards)
 These notes should show how Brutus does or does not meet the criteria for being a hero.
HOW
1.
2.
3.
to CREATE and TAKE NOTES:
Log in to EasyBib.
Find your project and underneath it, click Notebook.
Click New Note.
Focal Point
(Characteristic of a Hero)
Where will the information for this
notecard come from? Choose the
source from your bibliography.
Word-for-word quote from
Julius Caesar. Use this only for
your notes (quotes) on Brutus.
Information from the source in
your own words.
Use this for notes from the
sources on heroes.
Your ideas about the information
you quoted or paraphrased. For
example, how will it support
your main argument/claim/thesis?
Record the page # of the
information IF your source has
page #s. Brutus quotes only;
Act, Scene, Line # - example:
1.2.55-58
Focal Point (again – same as title)
Choose a color for this focal point.
ALL notecards on this focal point
should have the same color,
regardless of the source.
Step 4: Outline Your Essay
 Use the outlining feature in your EasyBib Notebook to create an outline of your essay.
 Follow the template below.
Thesis statement:
Provide a clear, well-reasoned argument in response to this question:
In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, was Brutus a villainous traitor or selfless hero?
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph #1 – Write a sentence that supports your thesis and
introduces your first characteristic of a hero (focal point).
A. Explain how one or two heroes in history exemplifies this characteristic.
1.
Notecard
2.
Notecard
3.
Notecard
4.
More notecards?
B. Explain why Brutus does or does not exemplify this characteristic. (possible
counterargument)
1.
Notecard
2.
Notecard
3.
Notecard
Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph #2 – Write a sentence that supports your thesis and
introduces your second characteristic of a hero (focal point).
A. Explain how one or two heroes in history exemplifies this characteristic.
1.
Notecard
2.
Notecard
3.
Notecard
4.
More notecards?
B. Explain why Brutus does or does not exemplify this characteristic. (possible
counterargument)
1.
Notecard
2.
Notecard
3.
Notecard
Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph #3 – Write a sentence that supports your thesis and
introduces your third characteristic of a hero (focal point).
A. Explain how one or two heroes in history exemplifies this characteristic.
1.
Notecard
2.
Notecard
3.
Notecard
4.
More notecards?
B. Explain why Brutus does or does not exemplify this characteristic. (possible
counterargument)
1.
Notecard
2.
Notecard
3.
Notecard
Possible Counterargument Paragraph
Conclusion: Write a sentence that offers your final judgment (thesis) of Brutus based on
everything you have argued in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3.
A. Ideas to sum up and support your final judgment
B. Ideas to sum up and support your final judgment