Julius Caesar (Act I) by William Shakespeare
Caesar’s Speech to the People of Rome
(W.2)
o Analyze the motivation of characters in a text. Predict a character’s actions/behavior based on his/her
characterization (RL.3)
o Analyzes evidence effectively. Provides specific evidence (such as direct quotations) for claims (RL.1)
o Writes a clear topic sentence or thesis statement. Demonstrates effective paragraph structure (W.4)
o Demonstrates correct grammar, usage, mechanics, and formatting (L.1, 2)
Task: You are Caesar, the leader of Rome. You have just refused to accept the crown, and yet you must affirm
your position to the people. You have decided to address the people of Rome, and must write a speech telling
them why you are their leader, but refused to accept the crown. As a person who understands the people, you
know that it is not as simple as a one line speech. Your speech should be at least 200 words in length and
should makes appeals while give a well-supported reasoning for your refusal of the crown, to the public.
**Remember Caesar is a very good public speaker and this means that you should use colons and semicolons.**
Rubric for Caesar’s Speech
Expectations:
Excellent: 4-5 Points
Good: 2-3 Points
Poor: 0-1 Points
Clearly identifies
Caesar’s motivations
Clear, direct and
insightful statement of
Caesar’s motivation.
Identification of Caesar’s
motivation.
Little to no identification
of Caesar’s motivation.
Provides quotations, and
cites them as evidence
from the text, to support
your position.
Two or more cited
quotations in each
paragraph which
logically support
position.
Two cited quotations
included in each
paragraph for adequate
support.
Less than two cited
quotations per paragraph
or illogical selection of
quotes for support.
Uses rhetorical devices
and appeals throughout
the speech.
Uses a rhetorical device
and appeal well and
appropriately.
One rhetorical device or
appeal is incorrectly used
or not present.
Rhetorical devices are
incorrectly used or not
present at all.
Begins paragraphs with a
clear topic sentence
Clear topic sentences in
each paragraph.
Topic sentence in each
paragraph which
provides some focus for
the paragraph.
Topic sentence is missing
or unclear, little sense of
focus for the paragraph
given.
Demonstrates correct
grammar, usage, and
mechanics.
Few if any errors in
grammar, usage, and
mechanics.
A few minor errors in
grammar, usage, and
mechanics which do not
impede understanding.
Many errors in grammar,
usage, and mechanics
which may detract from
content.
Colon and Semi-colon
use
Perfect usage of both a
colon and a semi-colon
One colon or semi-colon
is used incorrectly or
missing.
Two or more uses are
incorrect or missing.
Formatting