Responding to Short Essay
Questions
Responding to a Prompt
1. Identify the question
2. Restate the question as a thesis- the
point that you wish to prove.
3. Give 3 specific examples directly
related to the question.
4. Explain how those examples prove
your point.
5. Summarize your point by rephrasing
(not repeating) your thesis.
Essay Response
PROMPT #1
Antigone declares that she acts out of
honor and obedience to the gods. Are
these really her motives? Do her words
and actions reveal other motives? In an
essay, analyze Antigone’s motives and
draw conclusions about why she does
what she does. Use at least three details
from the play to support your analysis.
Step One: Find the Question
PROMPT #1
Antigone declares that she acts out of
honor and obedience to the gods. Are
these really her motives? Do her words
and actions reveal other motives? In an
essay, analyze Antigone’s motives and
draw conclusions about why she does
what she does. Use at least three details
from the play to support your analysis.
Step Two: Restate the question as a
thesis
• Antigone declares that she acts out of honor
and obedience to the gods. Are these really
her motives? Do her words and actions reveal
other motives?
Although Antigone claims that she acts
out of honor and obedience to the gods, these
are not her real motives. Her words and
actions reveal other motives.
Step Three: Give three specific
examples
• She wants to honor the brother that she has
lost.
• She wants to get credit for burying Polyneices.
• She wants to die.
Good Response
Although Antigone claims that she acts out of
honor and obedience to the gods, these are not her real
motives. Her words and actions reveal other motives.
Firstly, Antigone feels responsible for burying her
brother. In the prologue, she argues with Ismene that
they have a family obligation. She says “He is my
brother. And he is your brother, too” Another reason
she does this is to get credit for it. She tells Ismene to
tell everyone. This suggests a sense of pride. Finally,
she seems to have a death wish. Not only does
Antigone want everyone to know what she did, before
she dies, she seems happy to be able to see her dead
mother, father and brother. Therefore, Antigone’ has
many more motivations for this than just reverence
for the gods.
Reason One
Although Antigone claims that she acts out of
honor and obedience to the gods, these are not her real
motives. Her words and actions reveal other motives.
Firstly, Antigone feels responsible for burying her
brother. In the prologue, she argues with Ismene that
they have a family obligation. She says “He is my
brother. And he is your brother, too” Another reason
she does this is to get credit for it. She tells Ismene to
tell everyone. This suggests a sense of pride. Finally,
she seems to have a death wish. Not only does
Antigone want everyone to know what she did, before
she dies, she seems happy to be able to see her dead
mother, father and brother. Therefore, Antigone’ has
many more motivations than just reverence for the
gods.
Reason Two
Although Antigone claims that she acts out of
honor and obedience to the gods, these are not her real
motives. Her words and actions reveal other motives.
Firstly, Antigone feels responsible for burying her
brother. In the prologue, she argues with Ismene that
they have a family obligation. She says “He is my
brother. And he is your brother, too” Another reason
she does this is to get credit for it. She tells Ismene to
tell everyone. This suggests a sense of pride. Finally,
she seems to have a death wish. Not only does
Antigone want everyone to know what she did, before
she dies, she seems happy to be able to see her dead
mother, father and brother. Therefore, Antigone’ has
many more motivations than just reverence for the
gods.
Reason Three
Although Antigone claims that she acts out of
honor and obedience to the gods, these are not her real
motives. Her words and actions reveal other motives.
Firstly, Antigone feels responsible for burying her
brother. In the prologue, she argues with Ismene that
they have an family obligation. She says “He is my
brother. And he is your brother, too” Another reason
she does this is to get credit for it. She tells Ismene to
tell everyone. This suggests a sense of pride. Finally,
she seems to have a death wish. Not only does
Antigone want everyone to know what she did, before
she dies, she seems happy to be able to see her dead
mother, father and brother. Therefore, Antigone’ has
many more motivations than just reverence for the
gods.
Transitions
Although Antigone claims that she acts out of
honor and obedience to the gods, these are not her real
motives. Her words and actions reveal other motives.
Firstly, Antigone feels responsible for burying her
brother. In the prologue, she argues with Ismene that
they have a family obligation. She says “He is my
brother. And he is your brother, too” Another reason
she does this is to get credit for it. She tells Ismene to
tell everyone. This suggests a sense of pride. Finally,
she seems to have a death wish. Not only does
Antigone want everyone to know what she did, before
she dies, she seems happy to be able to see her dead
mother, father and brother. Therefore, Antigone’ has
many more motivations than just reverence for the
gods.
Essay Response
PROMPT #2
As the new head of state, Creon forbids
Polyneices’ burial. In an essay, investigate
the character of Creon. What do his
decision and the reasons for his decision
say about him? What are the strengths
and the weaknesses of his character?
Use at least three details from the play to
support your investigation of Creon’s
character.
Step One: Find the Question
PROMPT #2
As the new head of state, Creon forbids
Polyneices’ burial. In an essay, investigate
the character of Creon. What do his
decision and the reasons for his decision
say about him? What are the strengths
and the weaknesses of his character?
Use at least three details from the play to
support your investigation of Creon’s
character.
Step Two: Write a Thesis
• As the new head of state, Creon forbids Polyneices’
burial. In an essay, investigate the character of Creon.
What do his decision and the reasons for his decision
say about him? What are the strengths and the
weaknesses of his character?
Creon’s decision and the reasons
for this choice say much about him
and reveal both his strengths and
weaknessess.
Essay Response
PROMPT #3
In your opinion, what accounts for the
strong appeal Antigone has had for
centuries? In a short essay, explain why
Sophocles’ classic tragedy remains
relevant to modern life. Support your
opinion with at least three details from
the play.
Step One
PROMPT #3
In your opinion, what accounts for the
strong appeal Antigone has had for
centuries? In a short essay, explain why
Sophocles’ classic tragedy remains
relevant to modern life. Support your
opinion with at least three details from
the play.
Essay Response
PROMPT #4
With which character in Antigone did
you identify most strongly? In a short
essay, explain how and why you
identified with this character. Discuss
what you discovered about the
character and the play. Use at least
three details from the play to support
your explanation.
Essay Response
PROMPT #5
Who do you believe is the tragic hero
in Antigone—Antigone or Creon? In a
short essay, state your opinion and
support it with reasonable evidence
from the play. Use at least three
details from the play to support your
opinion.