(thank you Ms. Jones!)
English 10
MCAS: Long composition questions
Below is a collection of (almost!) all of the long composition questions from past MCAS tests. Read them
over and practice developing a thesis statement (central idea + topics of evidence). Remember: a good
thesis statement makes SPECIFIC claims about what the following paper will argue.
1999:
In literature, as in life, things are not always as they appear to be. Identify a work of literature that you
have read in or out of class in which this is true. Select one event, scene, or episode from this work of
literature and explain it in an essay what the situation appears to be and what the situation really is.
THESIS:
In Macbeth, we find a warrior Macbeth loyal, strong, and brave. But the story isn’t as it appears to be.
When Macbeth meets 3 three witches with information on his future, the story goes in a completely
different direction than you would think.
In the novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, Madame Defarge is most definitely not what she
appears to be. –need to add what she appears to be (your three talking points/topics of evidence) and then
your essay will show us how she is not those things.
Why should you put how she appears to be instead of how she really is—in your thesis statement?
Subtle, pulls the reader in because they want to know how she really is—you haven’t “spoiled” it.
2000:
Often in works of literature, there are characters – other than the main character – whose presence in the
work is essential. From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character, other
than the main character, who plays a key role. In a well-developed composition, identify the character and
explain why the character is important.
THESIS:
In Lord of the Rings, Samwise Gamgee is not the main character, but without him the journey of the
protagonist would be a failure as his importance is greater than what meets the eye--. – too broad, this
statement needs topics of evidence (those specific pieces that will precisely and concisely show
Samwise’s important role)
Although Lady Macbeth is not the main character, she plays a key role by showing an evil, scheming, and
manipulating side of her personality. Good—this one has the three topics of evidence. –this one can have
paragraphs discussing evil, scheming, manipulating or can discuss all three in each paragraph discussing
how she was key in different events, characters’ lives, a theme, etc.
In the play Macbeth, the witches, that influence Macbeth to become king by doing evil deeds, play a key
role in the play. They change the life of Macbeth and then the change “domino-effects” to others. –once
you’ve written this essay, go back and see if you can come up with a real verb or verb phrase rather than
“domino-effects”
The character Telemachus is an essential secondary character in the epic poem The Odyssey because he
cooperates with the gods, makes progress to become a man, and helps his father return to power. –Good this one restates the prompt, has three topics of evidence, uses the keyword “essential” from the prompt,
2001:
A frequent theme in literature is the conflict between the individual and society. From a work of literature
you have read in or out of school, select a character who struggles with society. In a well-developed
composition, identify the character and explain why this character’s conflict with society is important.
THESIS:
In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth struggles to lead his newly controlled Scotland to
peace and prosperity.
(Hellen Keller) – It takes dignity, self-worth, and confidence in who you are to overcome obstacles
created by society, especially when you are made to believe you don’t belong, when society is your worst
nightmare, your biggest bully. – maybe a little repetitive; Good – three topics of evidence, or two sets of
three topics of evidence. This one is a bit long.
Lennie struggles to fit in with society resulting in his being unable to reach his dream due to his mental
slowness, his fear of doing something wrong, and the strong hate another character has toward him.
2002:
In literature as in life, people struggle with principles or beliefs they hold. From a work of literature you
have read in or out of school, select a character who struggles with his or her own principles or beliefs. In
a well-developed composition, identify that character and explain how that character’s inner struggle is
important to the work of literature.
THESIS:
Macbeth struggles with principles or beliefs that he holds through staying loyal to the king, staying loyal
to his kingsmen kinsmen, and being loyal to himself. Good – has the three topics of evidence;
2003:
The protagonist is the main character in a work of literature who often changes in some important way by
the end of the work. From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a protagonist who
changes in some important way by the end of the work. In a well-developed composition, identify the
protagonist, and explain why the protagonist changes in some important way by the end of the work.
THESIS:
In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth greatly changes throughout the novel play. –
doesn’t make a decision (how he changes), doesn’t have the three topics of evidence; this statement
doesn’t say anything
2004:
Heroism can mean different things to different people. Literature is full of characters that can be
considered heroic. From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character that, in
your opinion, is heroic. In a well-developed composition, identify that character and explain why he or
she is heroic.
THESIS:
Odysseus shows heroism because he goes on a long journey and achieves strength, power, and love.
Odysseus a main character from the epic The Odyssey is a hero because he experienced the Trojan War,
survives Poseidon’s wrath, and kills the noble abushing his kingdom.
Sidney Carton is truly a hero for sticking to his word, making other characters happy by the end of the
book, and sacrificing his life for the greater good.
2005:
Often, works of literature include characters that change as a result of a particular event.
From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character that has been changed by a
particular event. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe the event, and explain
why the character’s change is important to the work of literature.
THESIS:
In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth turns into a blood thirsty killer after assassinating
the king.
2006:
Works of literature often feature characters with the ability to inspire or lead others.
From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character with the ability to inspire or
lead others. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character inspires
or leads others, and explain why this character's ability is significant to the meaning of the work of
literature.
THESIS:
In the book, Lord of the Flies, Ralph is known for the decision making on the island and all of the
younger kids are inspired by his bravery, loyalty, and heroism.