Five Paragraph Essay
While watching the film The Princess Bride, pay attention to the characters and the plot. You will be
turning your observations into a five paragraph essay on one of the following ideas:
1. Explain how the themes of true love, magic, and evil are typically portrayed in films. Then, explain
how they are portrayed differently in the movie than they are in a standard fairytale.
Example Concept: Fear
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Typical Fairytale: Fear is usually associated with dark surroundings and dangerous
creatures or events popping out at the characters.
Movie Portrayal: In the Fire Swamp, all of these elements are present. The Fire Swamp is
a dark and dismal looking place. Flames pop out and almost engulf Buttercup. Buttercup also
falls into the lightning ashes, and finally, she and Westley are attacked by the R.U.S
(Rodents of Unusual Size). Even though these occurances are scary, they are faced calmly
and pleasantly by Westley. He even goes so far as to speculate that they could live rather
nicely in the Fire Swamp for quite some time.
2. Explain how the characters in the film differ from those typically associated with fairytales. For
example, select three character groups (the prince, the princess, the damsel in distress, the wizard,
the giant, the villain, the hero, etc.) and explain what the typical fairytale stereotype would be and
how the characters from the movie break that mold. You may want to consider citing other fairytales
as examples.
3. Explain how The Princess Bride should be categorized by genre. Give three reasons and support each
one with facts from the movie as to why that genre would be the best fit. Genre choices might
include: romance, romantic adventure, fairytale/fantasy, spoof/comedy, or adventure. (See
supplemental handout)
4. If you like the idea of genre classification, but cannot limit your choice to just one, then set up the
essay to explain which three genres best fit The Princess Bride. This will make each genre one of
your main points. (See supplemental handout)
***This essay must be five paragraphs in MLA format and will need a works cited page.***
1st Paragraph: Introduction
A. Hook
B. Identify the Topic
C. Thesis Statement (comma, comma, and)
nd
2 Paragraph: First Main Idea
3rd Paragraph: Second Main Idea
4th Paragraph: Third Main Idea
A. Topic Sentence B. Supporting Details
C. Transition Sentence
th
5 Paragraph:
A. Revisit Thesis
B. Main Point
C. Unhook
1. Romance: Two lovers destined for one another…
_____ meet
_____ fall in love
_____ face obstacles
_____ overcome the odds and are reunited
2. Romantic Adventure: The hero…
_____ finds his true love
_____ loses his true love
_____ eventually rescues his true love
3. Adventure: Characters overcome adversities…
_____ while on a quest
_____ in exotic locations
_____ facing evil villains
_____ through exciting and dangerous events
4. Fairytale/Fantasy: These films…
_____ begin with “Once upon a time”
_____ involve princes or princesses
_____ involve a quest
_____ include battles
_____ result in victory of good over evil
_____ lead to the reward of true love
_____ end with “Happily ever after”
5. Spoof/Comedy: This film…
_____ makes fun of traditional genres
_____ makes fun of familiar conventions
_____ makes fun of formulaic plots
_____ uses inside jokes