Othello vs. Iago
Contrast the characters of Othello
and Iago in Acts I and II
Step One
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Make a list of character traits for each
character. Divide your paper in half, and
write as many words, adjectives, and
phrases that you can, using your study
guides and your brilliant mind for
reference.
Step 1 ½: Review
Remind me how the 8 sentence, 2 chunk
paragraph works!
 You should have redefined TS, CD, CM,
CS; clarified what a chunk is; told me the
helpers and transitional phrases; explained
WHY we do it this way.
 For the Othello Essay, we are going to do
a prewriting paragraph to a. remind us
how to put these skills into practice b.
experience how a timed writing feels.
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Prompt for Othello Paragraph
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Pick one of Othello’s or Iago’s best qualities and
prove how he reveals this quality in Acts I and II.
Your commentary/analysis will be an in-depth
characterization of him based on the trait you will
reveal in your TS.
You’ll pick two quotes that best support that trait.
Basically, show me how Othello or Iago is the
paragon
of the trait you choose.
You may use your book, your study guides, and any
other notes you may have taken.
Parenthetical doc. for plays: “quote” (I iv 25-27).
Step Two
Look at the character traits for both
people, and pair up the opposite ones.
 Ex: honest vs. dishonest
 Honorable vs. traitorous
NOW, do the handout that requires you
to do a CD hunt for your best three
pairs of traits.
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Step Three
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Pick your two best contrasting pairs. These should
be the ones you have the best support (quotes) for.
The quotes should not be too similar to each other,
or else your CMs will sound redundant and not very
deep.
Now create a word/phrase that encompasses each
set of contrasting traits and create your initial thesis
statement. For example:
honest v. deceitful = integrity
trustworthy v. inconsistent/unreliable = trustworthiness
noble v. nefarious = sense of honor/moral code
(Initial) Thesis Statements
 This
sentence will ultimately be the
last sentence of your intro paragraph
 For the outline, it will be what you
write next to Roman Numeral I.
 It should include: author, the acts,
the 2 men’s names, and the 2 sets of
traits.
Sample Thesis Statements
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In the first two acts of Shakespeare’s Othello,
Othello and Iago contrast in their treatment
of others as well as in their integrity.
In Acts I and II of Othello, Shakespeare
contrasts Othello and Iago in terms of their
trustworthiness and loyalty.
…differ vastly in their approaches to honesty
and in their intentions behind the relationships
they form.
Step Four
Create the outline that will show me the
overall structure of your essay. It must
include a thesis, topic sentences for each
of the two body paragraphs, all
transitional sentences, and CDs that have
lead-ins, direct quotes, and correct
parenthetical citations.
 See handout for overall structure.
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Step Five: Intros and Conclusions
Intro Paragraph:
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Should be 5 -6 sentences long
Imitate the upside-down triangle: general to specific, where the last
sentence is your thesis:
more general:
More specific
thesis
Intro Paragraph, continued
Include author and title of play in intro,
but they don’t have to be in the thesis
statement
 Perhaps have a hook/metaphor that you
can take full circle in the closing paragraph,
but remember:
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-no crazy extended irrelevant metaphors
-no clichés, rhetorical questions, quoting
the dictionary, dawn of time intros
More intro stuff
Introduce (briefly) events/the situation of
your story
For example,
 Why is Iago mad?
 What is the relationship btwn Iago and
Othello?
 Who are these people and what’s the conflict?
Now, let’s look at some samples…
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Conclusions
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In the first sentence only, re-present ideas from the
essay/thesis, BUT don’t restate word for word
Also, don’t make every sentence after that a subtopic
from the paper you just wrote; this is redundant and
unsophisticated writing
Follow logically from previous paragraphs; for
example, if you started with an idea or metaphor,
readdress that (full circle)
Don’t bring up brand new ideas or predict exactly
what’s going to happen next, but draw conclusions for
the characters based on what you’ve already written.
Have about 4-5 sentences
Now, let’s look at some samples,
and remember that the front side
of the handout you’re about to get
has the flawed paragraphs, but the
back has the good models.
This essay is due…
Friday!
 Please attach your turnitin.com receipt
and all your prewriting. This includes the
grasshopper stamped paper and the
outline. If there is no receipt, you will lose
5% off your grade.
 It’ll be graded by the day of your final…for
real.
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