Note that student work varies significantly from one assignment to the next, even within the same
mark range. The intent behind providing samples such as this one is to guide students in
recognizing key criteria of assignments and in assessing their own work.
SAMPLE INTRODUCTION – GOOD
Topic: To what extent is Lady Macbeth responsible for her own downfall?
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Strengths:
• The progression from general to specific, as well as how one argument leads to the next,
is evident (application).
Tips for Improvement:
• The thesis statement could be further developed to emphasize how Lady Macbeth is
responsible for her downfall (thinking).
• Add further general discussion to the beginning of the paragraph to establish
responsibility for one's actions (application).
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In relationships, people often hurt each other. The damage can be so bad that people can end
up being totally alone. In the play, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the consequences of the
Macbeths' murderous ways are damaging to many characters, but particularly Lady Macbeth, who
not only loses her relationship with her husband, but her life. She starts off as having a close
relationship with Macbeth, but her shrewish, selfish ways lead her to persuade Macbeth to murder
Duncan. As a result of his newfound power, Macbeth starts murdering anyone who is a threat and
spends less time with his wife. Lady Macbeth finds out about murders after they are committed, and
she has trouble coping, which leads to her madness and death. This all started with her controlling
her husband at the start of the play. Lady Macbeth is a selfish, greedy, and sinister shrew of a
woman who does not care about supporting her husband and is ultimately responsible for her own
downfall.