ESSAY ASSIGNMENT FOR MACBETH, ENGLISH IV HONORS, FALL 2015
Background: For the last couple of weeks, we have been studying The Tragedy of Macbeth, written by William
Shakespeare. During that time, our focus has been on how appearances can be deceiving. To that end, we have spent
much time collecting quotations that illustrate this connection.
Assignment: Write a well-organized, coherent essay, discussing how Macbeth develops the theme of
appearances can be deceiving.
Due Tuesday, November 10.
TEST GRADE.
There will be a ten-point penalty for each day this paper is late. A paper is considered late if it is not uploaded to
turnitin.com by the beginning of class on the due date AND if a hard copy and rough drafts are not turned in by the
beginning of class on the due date. Do not wait until the last minute because no excuses will be accepted that mitigate
the penalty for late papers. Also, these essays MUST be printed out before class, or they are considered late.
Criteria:
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Five paragraphs: introduction, three body paragraphs, conclusion paragraph, and a Works Cited page.
Type essay according to MLA standards. (Refer to Joe Schmo handout from the medieval essay assignment for
examples of MLA features.)
Quotations may never, ever, ever, ever, EVER stand alone. They must be attached to an existing sentence in a
smooth and grammatically-correct manner.
MLA parenthetical documentation must be used at the end of a sentence to show where you took the quotation.
Example: . . . “ (1.1.10). Notice there is a period after the final parenthesis.
Structural Criteria
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Each body paragraph must begin with a topic sentence that supports the thesis statement and prepares the reader
for what the focus of this paragraph will be. If the body paragraph is the second or third one, you must begin with
an upscale transition. An upscale transition reminds the reader where the writer has been and prepares the reader
for where the writer is going. Example: Not only does deception play an important role in the first two acts of The
Scottish Play, it continues on, even after Macbeth has been chosen as King of Scotland after King Duncan’s death.
Each body paragraph must end with a conclusion sentence, a sentence which summarizes the examples and the
focus for the particular paragraph.
Each body paragraph must have three, strong quotations that support the topic sentences.
Each of the three examples must begin with some type of appropriate transition word or phrase in order to signal
the reader that you are finished with the one example and ready to go on to the next one.
The writer must demonstrate a deep understanding of how to present information for each of the three examples in
a body paragraph. First, the writer provides the context for the forthcoming quotation so that the reader
understands why this quotation choice is coming. Second, the quotation is correctly delivered. Third, the writer
directly refers to a word or phrase in the quotation and then clearly demonstrates how this word or phrase supports
the topic sentence. You should never place the burden of inference on the reader. Finally, you must ask yourself or
another mean editor, if the information you have given is adequate, clear, and appropriate. Too often writers make
the mistake of not providing enough context in the sentence(s) that precede the quotation, and too often writers
make the mistake of making either a general, vague comment about the quotation that preceded the explanation
sentence(s) or makes a specific reference to a work but then does explain why that reference appropriately supports
the topic sentence. Does the reference involve the connotation of diction and/or imagery? Tell the reader. Does
the reference illustrate the relationship between unnaturalness and wickedness? Tell the reader.