Romeo and Juliet Documented
Essay
Essay Prompt
In your opinion, where should we place
the blame for the tragic ending of Romeo
and Juliet? What is the strongest
contributing force or combination of
forces that leads to the untimely deaths of the two young lovers? Is it fate, the hatred between the two families,
the impulsive love of the two teenagers, or the actions of one of the characters that is the strongest cause of the
tragedy? Perhaps you have another idea for the tragedy or a combination of ideas. Your answer to this question
will become the thesis statement that guides your essay.
Requirements
This 4 - 5 paragraph essay must contain a minimum of 2 primary quotes (from the play Romeo and Juliet) and 1
secondary quote (from the literary criticism article by Lois Kerschen). Each quote must have an appropriate
lead-in and a parenthetical citation to document the source.
Example of a secondary quote with a sentence lead-in and citation:
Kerschen, a professor of English at Lone Star College, discusses the potential problems with the
intensity of love emotions in the play: “Perhaps the problem is not with the intensity of the emotion, but the
inability to control and direct that emotion in a positive way” (261).
Structure of the Essay:
Introduction Paragraph
a. Hook - Start with an interesting idea that relates to your topic or with a universal statement relating to
your topic.
b. Connection/Discussion – Connect the hook to your thesis statement which comes at the end of this
paragraph. You might choose to include a brief description of the play’s plot written in present tense,
but this is not a requirement. Your introduction paragraph introduces the ideas that are discussed in the
essay and leads your reader into this discussion.
c. Thesis or Claim statement – This is the last sentence of your introduction paragraph. Your thesis will
answer the prompt above: In your opinion, what is the strongest contributing force behind the tragic
deaths of Romeo and Juliet?
Your thesis statement is always arguable. If your thesis were obvious, no one would want to read the
essay. Your thesis statement is the guiding organizer for the ideas of your essay. Every paragraph of the
essay should support and explain the thesis.
d. Make sure to introduce the author and the play (William Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet)
somewhere in the introduction paragraph.
One example for the thesis or claim statement:
In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, ___________________ causes Romeo and Juliet to die a tragic
death because
(Place your opinion in the underlined areas).
In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the young teenagers die an untimely death as the direct result of
(place your strongly worded opinion in the underlined area).
First Body Paragraph (YOU CAN COMBINE YOUR 3 QUOTES IN ANY COMBINATION WITHIN
YOUR BODY PARAGRAPHS)
-
Topic Sentence
Transition and Lead In, Text Evidence (CD: quote from the play or your secondary quote) with
Parenthetical Documentation
Your Explanation and Analysis (CM) of the quote (Remember the ratio of 2 CM per CD)
You may add another quote here or in next paragraph (wherever added, remember to add 2 CM per
CD)
Quote evidence must always be supported by explanation and analysis
Concluding Sentence
Second Body Paragraph
-
Continue the same structure (as above) for all of your body paragraphs.
You may have 2 or 3 body paragraphs depending on your evidence and how you would like to
organize that evidence.
Conclusion
a. Summary of Thesis (rephrase it...do not be boring and repeat it exactly.)
b. "So What?" Statement: Pick one-1. Connect to larger themes in the play: the destruction of hatred, the dangers of secrets, the
young versus the old, the helpfulness or hindrance of adults
2. Or, connect to other works of literature. Can you think of any books, movies, or TV shows
that portray young love and the difficulties of living in a community that argues?
3. Or, connect to LIFE.
Work Cited Page
Lead-ins
Each of your quotes must have a lead-in that you write. Never leave a quote standing all by itself without a
lead-in.
Primary Source Lead-ins:
1. He says/She says: (or see below for other signal verbs to use)
At the beginning of the play, Juliet obeys her parents' every wish. When they call her, she comes
immediately, stating, "What is your will?" (1.3.6).
2. Sentence Lead-in:
Juliet gives her parents full control in determining how quickly she will become involved in a relationship
with Paris: "But no more deep will I endart mine eye / Than your consent gives strength to make it fly"
(1.3. 98-99).
3. Blended Lead-in:
Lord Capulet assumes that Juliet's refusal to marry Paris is a sign of rebellion, and he angrily calls his
daughter "greensickness carrion," "baggage," and "tallow-face" (3.5. 157, 159).
Secondary Source Lead-in / Signal Phrases (may use above examples as well):
1. In the words of _(insert last name of author)___, Paris’ devotion signals his desire to align himself with
the Capulet family: "insert quote here"(1).
2. Juliet’s sudden change of heart may be the result of her sheltered life, as
name)________________ has noted, "insert quote here" (2).
__(author last
3. Additionally the feud adds to the drama, as________________ points out "insert quote here" (2).
Verbs in lead ins / signal phrases:
Adds
Illustrates
Admits
Implies
Argues
Notes
Asserts
Writes
Confirms
Suggests
Declares
Claims Compares
Brainstorm Notes Here:
Source of Blame
Secondary Source
Three main points that support the blame
II.
III.
IV.
Brainstorm Possible Thesis Statements Here:
OUTLINE
Introductory Paragraph
I.
A.
B.
C. (Thesis Statement)
Body Paragraph 1
II.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Body Paragraph 2
III.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Body Paragraph 3
IV.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Concluding Paragraph
V.
A.
B.
C.
Works Cited
PREWRITING WORKSHEET
Name
Essay Prompt
In your opinion, where should we place the blame for the tragic ending of Romeo and Juliet? What is the
strongest contributing force to the untimely deaths of Romeo and Juliet and the tragic end of their young love?
After thinking about this question and reading the article by Lois Kershen, decide how you want to answer the
prompt. In preparation for your essay, complete the chart below to assemble your support evidence. What is
your answer to the question? Write your idea here:
Quote Evidence
You must choose at least two quotes from the play and one quote from a secondary source (the literary criticism
article provided in class) to support your claim or opinion above.
Quote Evidence
(This is what the characters
say or what someone else
might say about them)
Quote 1: From the play
Quote 2: From the play
What It Means
(Your interpretation and
explanation of the quote.)
Why It’s Important
(Discussion and analysis.
Connect the quote to the
argument you want to make in
your thesis.)
Quote Evidence
(This is what the characters
say or what someone else
might say about them)
What It Means
(Your interpretation)
Why It’s Important
(Discussion and analysis)
Quote 3: From a secondary
source article
Citing the Quotes in parenthetical citations
Follow this format for citing the quotes above. You will use this information as a parenthetical citation in your
essay.
For the play, record the Act, the scene, and the line numbers of the quote. Your citation will look like
this:
(Act.scene.line or lines) or (1.3.98-99)
For the secondary source, list the last name of the author and the page number with no comma:
(Dupier 1)
Category
Introduction and
thesis statement
(worth 20%)
The hook is
effective. The author
and title of the play
are included
somewhere in the
introduction. The
thesis statement
answers the prompt.
Text evidence
(worth 25%)
The cited text
evidence is well
chosen, documented
correctly, and has
appropriate lead-ins.
The text evidence
supports the
argument of the
thesis.
Analysis
(worth 25%)
The writer provides
commentary
sentences after each
piece of text
evidence that
explains and
interprets the quote
as it relates to the
argument.
Structure of essay
(worth 15%)
The essay has welldeveloped
paragraphs. MLA
heading, header, and
spacing are all
presented.
Syntax
(worth 15%)
Superior
92-100%
Above Average
80-91%
Below Average
70-80%
Not adequate
69% or below
Strong hook; thesis
answers the question
in an eloquent
%fashion.
Strong hook;
introduction may
be somewhat
slight; thesis
answers the
question in an
eloquent fashion.
The hook is
bland, obvious,
or unconnected.
The introduction
does not name
the author or the
work. The thesis
does not answer
the question.
The hook,
introduction, or
thesis are missing
major
components.
3 or more pieces of
text evidence are well
chosen and
appropriate.
At least 3 pieces
of text evidence
are present.
Quotes may not
directly support
the thesis. There
may be some
documentation
errors or lead-in
errors.
Only 2 pieces of
text evidence.
Less than 2
pieces of text
evidence.
The analysis
sentences are superior
and thoughtful. The
analysis drives your
argument.
The analysis
sentences are
decent. The
analysis drives
your argument.
The analysis
needs work. The
sources poorly
drive your
argument.
The analysis
sentences are
vague and
insufficient.
There are 2 or more
full- body paragraphs
and an introduction
and conclusion.
There are 2-3
body paragraphs
and an
introduction and
conclusion.
Either the
introduction or
conclusion are
lacking in depth.
There is only 1
body paragraph
and a limited
introduction
and/or
conclusion.
This essay is less
than two
paragraphs in
structure.
The writing is
mostly free of
errors. The
sentences are
somewhat varied.
The writing has
some errors. The
sentences are not
varied and
powerful.
Documentation is
correct.
Lead-ins are
appropriate and
varied.
MLA format is
correct.
The writing is mostly
free of errors. The
structure of the
sentences is varied
and powerful.
Errors are more
frequent with
either
documentation or
lead-ins.
Frequent errors
are present
within the
documentation
and lead-ins.
MLA format has
multiple errors.
MLA format has
2 or more errors.
The amount of
errors in the
writing is
distracting to the
reader.