English 10H
Novak
The Canterbury Tales
Final essay
On the day of the final, you will write a five-paragraph essay on one of the following
topics. You do not know which one in advance. To prepare for this assignment, you
MUST prepare three typed outlines that include a thesis statement and the points to be
addressed.* The outlines must specify the six CDs for each topic. I expect to see a
balance of quotations and paraphrased details from the story. On your outline, make sure
that you record your quotations exactly, demonstrating the proper MLA format. On the
day of the essay, you are required to turn in your three outlines with your essay. For
each missing outline, you will lose five points off your final grade.
*Note: you may write out the TLQ for your quotations, but you may not put any
notes for CM. You must think on the spot during the final essay. You will be
penalized if your outline is too detailed.
Remember to include the author and title (i.e., Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales)
somewhere in the introductory paragraph. For each body paragraph, begin with a topic
sentence that introduces the complete point to be discussed; then develop your ideas with
concrete detail and commentary. Follow the organization we have studied (TS, CD, CM,
CM, CD, CM, CM, CS). You are encouraged to blend your CD and CM only if you are
ready to do so; if you are still wrestling with the format, stick to it. Close your essay with
a conclusion that shows how your ideas relate to the larger purpose of Chaucer’s satire.
1.
Focus on the idea of church corruption. Using characters from the tales and/or
the Prologue, detail how and why Chaucer illuminates church corruption.
What does he suggest people do about it?
2.
Focus on the institution of marriage. Using characters from the tales and/or
the Prologue, detail how Chaucer depicts marriage and the aspects that he
suggests are needed for a healthy, prosperous marriage.
3.
Using characters from the tales and/or the Prologue, detail how Chaucer
depicts human nature. In short, what does he suggest will happen to people
who fail to use good judgment and who behave like animals? How does he
suggest people need to conduct themselves?
ICE tips for The Canterbury Tales
You must have a thesis w/3 points in your intro. Consult the sample thesis statements on
my website.
Your thesis must reveal the theme/universal truth Chaucer illustrates overall.
Note: underline The Canterbury Tales; put the titles of the individual tales (such as “The
Nun’s Priest’s Tale”) in quotation marks. Refer to the General Prologue without
quotation marks.
Capitalize the professions that Chaucer uses in place of names: the Nun’s Priest, the
Miller, the Wife of Bath, etc. Note: “the” is not capitalized.
Do not call The Canterbury Tales a “novel.” Technically, it’s a poem.
Call it a work, a satire, or a collection of short stories or tales.
Commas go inside the quotation marks: In “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale,” Chaucer . . .
Use simple present tense (not pres. progressive or past tense).
Use active (not passive) voice.
Note: the past tense is ok to use when you refer to history.
TS needs to introduce the point for the paragraph. It is not a CD.
Resist praising the author; stay analytical.
Avoid "we," "the reader," and "the audience."
Avoid "Throughout history . . ." in your opening line.
Avoid clichés.
Avoid rhetorical questions as CM.
Note spelling: heroes, medieval
Capitalize “medieval” when referring to the period: the Medieval Period or the Middle
Ages.
Do not capitalize medieval when used as a general adjective: “a medieval perspective”
Define objective hero (i.e., an individual with “universally-admired characteristics”).
Do not skimp on lead-ins to quotations. NO NAKED QUOTATIONS! Make sure
speaker and context are clear.
To enrich your CM, concentrate on the satire behind the detail in the story. How do
the characters’ actions relate back to Chaucer’s larger purpose?