Essay - Modern Connections to Romeo and Juliet
Mitchell - English 9
Rough draft due date _________________ Final draft due date _________________
For this assignment you will need to think about Romeo and Juliet and find modern day
connections (or comparisons) to major themes in the play. You will then use these
connections to compose a five paragraph essay consisting of an introduction, three body
paragraphs (one for each connection!), and a conclusion. You may only use each
modern day example ONCE. In other words, you will have three different modern day
examples connecting to three different main ideas. Note that you should also use
transitions and pay attention to the style and tone of your essay. Finally, this is an
academic essay and should NOT be written using the first person pronoun “I.”
Choose your three main ideas from this list: (other ideas MUST have my approval in advance!!)
 Feud
 Revenge
 Infatuation
 Deception
 Loyalty
 Grief
Each body paragraph should answer the following questions:
1. Where did you find your modern example? Did you give details about
your modern example? Name your source!
2. Explain how your example illustrates the main idea.
3. How is the main idea in your example similar to Romeo and Juliet?
4. How is the main idea in your example different from Romeo and Juliet?
Details –
 Include a heading with your name, the date, and class. You do NOT need a title.
 Your final draft should be FREE of any errors!!
 Length – 1 ½ to 3 pages
 PLEASE DOUBLE SPACE!!
 12 point font with normal margins
 VISUAL AID – you will give an informal presentation of your visual aid in class
OPTIONAL – You may use this pre writing graphic organizer to plan your essay.
Connection #1
Connection #2
Connection #3
Visual aid?
Idea -
Visual aid?
Idea -
Visual aid?
Idea -
Here is an example body paragraph. This example references the movie West Side
Story. You may NOT use this movie in your essays!
This example of a feud comes from the 1961 film version of West Side Story,
directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, starring Natalie Wood and Richard
Beymer. This film illustrates the idea of feud through the characters and plot. The story is
based around two New York City gangs, the Sharks and the Jets. These two groups fight
over territory within the city. They hate each other based mainly on race; the Jets are
Caucasian and the Sharks are Puerto Rican. The feud in West Side Story is similar to the
feud in Romeo and Juliet because they have both been going on for many years. Also, the
groups feuding in both stories have fights, or “rumbles” in public areas of the city, which
are often interrupted by authority figures. The feud in West Side Story is different from
the one in Romeo and Juliet in that it takes place between two gangs of men, instead of
two families. The origin of the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets is unclear
in Romeo and Juliet, while in West Side Story, racial tension between the two gangs
makes it evident to the audience why their feud exists.
Sample visual aid: West Side Story movie image
from internet.
Examples: a movie poster, book, newspaper
clipping, magazine article or picture, clip of a
movie to watch on the smart board, CD of a
song, etc. This is worth up to 10 points based on
relevance and creativity.
Remember that you will be presenting your
visual aid in class on the day the essays are due!
Name ______________________________
Day/ Block _________
RUBRIC - Modern Connections to Romeo and Juliet
Requirements:
ROUGH DRAFT
Hand in a first draft of your essay to your teacher for feedback
To earn full credit, your rough draft must:
 Be handed in ON TIME
 Contain 3 themes with 3 modern connections
 Address the 4 main questions in EACH body paragraph
 Include an introduction and conclusion
FINAL DRAFT
 Introduction
Captures the reader’s attention
Introduces the topic with a clear topic sentence
 Body Paragraph 1 –
1.
2.
3.
4.

Did you give details about the modern example?
How does your example illustrate the main idea?
How is it similar to R & J?
How is it different from R& J?


Comments
of 12
of 6
of 12
of 12
Body Paragraph 3
1. Did you give details about the modern example?
2. How does your example illustrate the main idea?
3. How is it similar to R & J?
4. How is it different from R& J?

Points
Body Paragraph 2
1. Did you give details about the modern example?
2. How does your example illustrate the main idea?
3. How is it similar to R & J?
4. How is it different from R& J?

Due
Date
Conclusion
Restates the topic
Signals that the essay is complete
Visual Aid for 1 connection
Clearly represents your example – relevant and creative?
Mechanics Your essay:
Is free of errors in grammar
Is free of errors in spelling
Is free of errors in punctuation
Is organized and structured
Contains transitions
TOTAL
of 12
of 6
of 10
of 10
of 80