English 12 – Mellen – 2015
Much Ado About Nothing Essay – Directions for Monday 11/19/15 and Tuesday 11/20/15
Today we will begin with a prewriting exercise to prepare you to write your essay.
1. There are three versions of essay prompts for this assignment.
2. Read the prompts.
3. Select one prompt to write an essay about. (YOU ARE TO IDENTIFY LETTER TO WHICH YOU ARE RESPONDING AT
THE TOP OF YOUR TYPED ESSAY.)
4. Decide what you want to say about the prompt and gather (and write down) information to help you
write your essay. Use your copy of the play, the study guide, and any other papers from this
assignment that will help you.
5. Include a strong, clear thesis in your introduction
a. This will be the first or last sentence of the introductory paragraph
6. Use Claim, data, warrant or the PEE chain as you gather your information.
a. you will need to make a POINT in each body paragraph to prove your thesis (this will be the
first sentence of each body paragraph).
b. you will have to provide EVIDENCE that your point is valid or true (statements & quotes from
the text that prove your point)
c. you will have to give an EXPLANATION of how or why the evidence proves your point (don’t
assume your audience/reader will just know – it is your job to make it clear)
7. Remember to cite all quotes properly. Two examples follow:
It becomes clear that Beatrice is not aware she is speaking with Benedict at the party when she asks
him, “…will you not tell me who you are?” (II.1.109).
OR
Borachio lies to Claudio to convince him that he can’t trust Don Pedro when he tells Claudio that,
“[Don Pedro] swore he would marry her tonight” (II.1.147-148).
Remember: only include end punctuation within the marks if it is a question mark or exclamation mark
as these change the meaning (as in the first example); otherwise, end punctuation comes after the
citation (as in the second example)
8. If you finish early, you may begin writing out your essay. If possible, we will be going to the computer
lab for the last half of class for you to begin typing.
NOTE: Bring your notes and a printed copy of your essay with you to our next class. (If we go to the lab today,
print a copy of what you have written at the end of class; otherwise, type and print one before our next class.)
PROMT A: In a brief essay, compare the nature of Hero and Claudio’s relationship with that of Beatrice and
Benedick, particularly in light of Benedick’s comment to Beatrice in Act V, Scene 2, line 61: “Thou and I are too
wise to woo peaceably.” What might Shakespeare be saying about love and human relationships through
these four characters?
PROMPT B: Based on what we’ve seen of their relationships in the play, which couple – Hero and Claudio, or
Benedick and Beatrice – do you believe will have the most successful and happy marriage?
PROMPT C: This play is said to be about human malice and human frailty. State why Don John is the most
malevolent character in the play and Claudio is the most frail character.
Rough draft due:
 TUESDAY, 10/27/15, FOR PURPLE DAY CLASSES; WEDNESDAY, 10/28/15, FOR GOLD DAY CLASSES
Format Requirements:
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Type and double space
Your name, Much Ado About Nothing Essay, the letter of the prompt you chose, and your block
included at top of page
Write in present tense (as if the story were still happening right now)
Punctuate correctly
Use the PEE chain
Include an introduction, body, and conclusion
Include quotes from the text, properly cited, as needed (minimum of two). Embed quotes
Write clearly and explain fully
Note on organization within the essay
Introduction –provide context (general information such as the name of the play and who or what you
will be writing about), and include a thesis statement that addresses the prompt.
Body – you will go into detail and prove your thesis.
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For prompt A and B, you will explain both relationships, telling what each one is like, how the two
couples’ relationships are the same and how they are different.
o In addition, for prompt A, you will include what you think it all means as far as what
Shakespeare was trying to say (did he think one relationship was better than the other? How
can you tell?)
o For prompt B, you will add why one couple is better suited to be together and will be more
successful than the other.
For prompt C, you will show how Don John is evil and how Claudio is weak.
Conclusion – you will sum it all up and restate your thesis. Don’t put any new information in here that
wasn’t covered in the body.