12 grade McBeth Essay
Response to Literary Text Grade 12 / “The Tragedy of Macbeth”
500 words
Please include your name, grade, school name, and a title.
25 points total
Prompt: “The Tragedy of Macbeth” by William Shakespeare contains many memorable characters. Of those most memorable are the bizarre and grotesque witches. Your task is to characterize the witches and determine their thematic significance.
Prewriting: (worth 5 points of your essay grade): Research and define what the terms theme and characterization (direct and indirect) mean in literature. Brainstorm ideas about characterization and theme as they pertain to the witches in the play.
Essay (worth 20 points): After reading the play, “The Tragedy of Macbeth” by William Shakespeare, discuss what the terms theme and characterization mean in literature, and develop a thesis. This should appear in the introduction. The remaining paragraphs should focus on the theme you have determined, how it impact s the work, and how the witches are characterized. Use specific examples from Shakespeare’s play. Lastly, in the conclusion, discuss what you liked about the work, and what you did not like.
Final Response to Literary Text draft should include evidence of the following:
Focus: characterization: how has the writer’s development of characters helped to make clear the significance of the theme?
Language: imagery, research inclusion, and word choice: how the writer’s use of these elements achieves effects in the composition.
Structure: how the writer creates an effective lead, thesis sentence, and reflection within the essay.
Format: paragraph one – introduction/discussion of the topic/thesis; paragraph two - theme you have selected; paragraph three –direct characterization; paragraph four- indirect characterization; paragraph five - what you liked and found disturbing.
**Final Note to Students: ALL essays will be checked for internet plagiarism. ANY evidence of material taken from a website or book that is NOT cited will result in an automatic failure. The essay should be YOUR OWN work, not the work of someone else.
