Year 10 English. .
Critical Essay : Macbeth
Term 3 2013
NAME: __________________________________________________
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Follow each step in the correct order
complete each row of the table - you should use the notes and guides in your English workbook
write neatly and clearly in blue or black pen
attempt every step of the task
PLANNING PART – BEFORE YOU START STRUCTURING YOUR ESSAY
Essay Question:
Explain why Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a worthwhile text to study
Step 1: Unpack the essay
question
Step 2: re-write the essay
question in the long form
– using the words and
phrases from Step 1.
Step 3. Write a thesis
statement – which will
be the first sentence of
your essay introduction
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Explain = analyse (find and name the techniques and describe the effect of the techniques)
Why = give reasons
Worthwhile = educational / entertaining / interesting and clever /
Study = explore / analyse / learn / discuss / investigate
Give reasons which analyse how the play Macbeth is an educational / entertaining / interesting / text to explore and
learn.
There are a variety of reasons why Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is a worthwhile text to study.
NOW…. MOVE ONTO THE NEXT PART: DRAFTING AND PLANNING THE ACTUAL ESSAY….
PARAPGRAPH 1 of the essay
Introduction paragraph
Thesis Statement
“Reason 1” sentence
“Reason 2” sentence
There are a variety of reasons why Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is a worthwhile
text to study
One of the main reasons is that the play is educational and informative.
Another key reason that makes the play worthwhile is that it is entertaining and
dramatic.
PARAPGRAPH 2 of the essay
Context paragraph
A few sentences which:
Name of the author. The
type of text and when it
was published . Where
the text is “set” and the a
clear sentence which
states what the main
theme (message) of the
play
PARAPGRAPH 3 of the essay
Reason 1 sentence
Scene 1 from
Macbeth which
“proves” the
reason - quote
LFFs
Effect of the Lffs
LINK 1 to thesis /
Reason 1.
Analysis paragraph #1
Firstly, one of the main reasons that makes Macbeth a worthwhile text to explore
is that it is educational and informative. It is educational in that it teaches the
audience clever language forms and features.
In the opening scene of the play, three witches tell the prophecy to Macbeth and
Banquo. The lines “Fair is foul and foul is fair” and “so foul and fair a day” and
“fear sounds… fair” are used by Shakespeare
Repetition / oxymoron /alliteration / contrast
The oxymoron confuses the audience. The oxymoron is also the first sign of the
conflict and confusion that Lady Macbeth and Macbeth experience in the rest of
the play. The repetition of the word “fair” continues in Act 1. “fair” is contrasted
with negative words like “fear’ and also adds to the tension in Act 1.
English students who study Macbeth will learn about oxymorons and contrast. This makes it
a worthwhile and educational text.
PARAPGRAPH 4 of the essay
Analysis Paragraph #2
Reason 2 sentence
Scene and quote
which “proves”
your reason
LFFs
Effect of Lffs
LINK 2 to thesis /
reason 2 sentence
PARAPGRAPH 5 of the essay
Conclusion
Thesis statement in
“reverse” order
Link 1
Link 2
Final comment or
rhetorical question
HINTS!!! 
 YOU MUST ADD MORE “ANALYSIS PARAGRAPHS” IN YOUR ESSAY IF YOU WANT TO DO MORE THAN ONE SCENE FROM
THE PLAY
o EVERY DIFFERENT SCENE AND QUOTE MUST HAVE IT’S OWN ANALYSIS PARAGRAPH
o This essay planner is like a recipe for an essay – you need to have all the “ingredients” (as shown in the planner)
or you’re not actually writing an essay!