Paragraph Components
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Clear topic sentence.
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At least two arguments in support of the topic sentence
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Evidence
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Connect any evidence to your arguments
Conclusion sentence
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Transitions – What are those?
General Requirements
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No longer than one page in length
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Double-spaced
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Word Processed
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Present Tense
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Third Person
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Cite in MLA Documentation
Citing Shakespeare
*
Play titles in italics: Romeo and Juliet
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How should writers quote a source when writing a
paragraph or essay? Is there a format?
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When Romeo swears by the moon, Juliet responds, “O,
swear not by the moon, th’ inconstant moon, / That monthly
changes in her circled orb, / Lest that thy love prove
likewise variable” (2.2.114-116).
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Format: (Act.Scene.Lines).
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Verse versus Prose
Themes – Life as a Paradox
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What is a paradox?
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par·a·dox [par-uh-doks]
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noun 1. a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or
absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.
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2. a self-contradictory and false proposition.
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3. any person, thing, or situation exhibiting an apparently
contradictory nature.
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4. an opinion or statement contrary to commonly accepted
opinion.
Examples of Paradox in Romeo and Juliet
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Two houses alike in dignity are fighting.
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Two children of feuding houses find true love with each
other.
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Romeo trying to stop a fight results in death.
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A friar suggests poison to escape problems.
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True love results in death.
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Death unites two feuding families.
Themes- Individuals vs. Society
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What do we know about society during this time?
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Great Chain of Being
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Nobility
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Marriage Primary Source
Examples of Individuals vs. Society
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Feuding Families vs. Citizens of Verona
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Friar Lawrence vs. Tradition of the Church
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Romeo and Juliet vs. Parents’ Feud
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Juliet vs. Parents
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Romeo vs. Banishment by Society
Themes - Love
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Courtly Love
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Profane Love
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Sacred Love
Examples of Love
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Romeo & Rosaline
“She’ll not be hit / With Cupid’s arrow. She hath Dian’s wit”
(1.1.216-217).
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Mercutio & the Nurse
“If love be rough with you, be rough with love; / Prick love for
pricking, and you beat love down” (1.4.27-28).
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Romeo & Juliet
“If that thy bent of love be honorable, / Thy purpose marriage,
send me word tomorrow” (2.2.150-151).
Themes – Inevitability of Fate
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Inevitability: Unable to avoid
Fate: Predetermined events beyond a person’s control
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What do we know about the belief of fate during this time?
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Examples of Fate
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Romeo just happens to meet the servingman who cannot
read and Rosaline is on the guest list.
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Romeo and Juliet fall in love “at first sight.”
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Romeo sneaks into Juliet’s courtyard just as she happens to
be declaring her love for him.
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Romeo trying to prevent a fight causes death.
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Friar John is unable to deliver Friar Lawrence’s letter.
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Juliet wakes up minutes after Romeo’s death.
Themes – Effects of Rash Behavior
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Rash: Lacking careful consideration of the consequences
Behavior: The way one conducts his or her self.
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Do hasty decisions play a role in Romeo and Juliet?
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Examples of Rash Behavior
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Romeo decides to go to Capulet’s feast.
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Friar marries Romeo and Juliet.
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Romeo cries about being banished and nearly kills himself.
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Juliet talks about killing herself if not with Romeo
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Friar devises this “fail safe” plan and Juliet goes through
with it.
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Romeo kicks the dirt before waiting around for Juliet to say
hello.