ENG3UI
SECONDARY SOURCES FORMAL ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
TOPIC: You will write an academic essay that presents your case for the role/dramatic
purposes served by one element in Macbeth.
For example, you may focus on a character (other than Lady Macbeth or Macbeth) or
relationships (e.g. fathers and sons, kings and lords), a stylistic device (e.g. an image
pattern, use of personification), a dramatic device (e.g. soliloquys, asides), a physical
item (e.g. swords, prophesies), or a societal aspect of the time (e.g. supernatural, augury).
1. You will develop your own thesis from this topic using Macbeth as your primary source in
close conversation with your teacher.
2. Remember to use the underlying formula of point-evidence-context-explanation-connection
to fully flesh out the body paragraphs of your argument.
3.
Use your evidence from your secondary sources to help you make your case about the play.
The proof from the play should be quotations/paraphrases/summaries from your primary
source (the text Macbeth). Do not use a critic to prove your points; use the critic to help
support or elaborate your analysis. Proof always comes from the primary text.
4. You are required to use references from at least three secondary sources (critics writing
essays about Macbeth and perhaps other sources of information about the element you are
discussing) to support, explain and/or elaborate on your references from the primary source
(the text of Macbeth). More than three secondary sources are welcomed.
5. At least one secondary source must be from a print source. A number of these resources have
been put on reserve in our library. You will have limited class time to work on this project so
plan on reading them on your own time.
6. Your essay should be approximately 1000 words long.
7. Your essay must follow the format of MLA citation rules
8. You must attach a Works Cited page which follows MLA format.
9. Your essay must be submitted to TURNITIN in order to be considered for assessment.
10. The assignment will be marked for the following:
a) quality of argument
b) quality of writing
c) correctness of format
Due date: ___ ____