Name: __________________________
English 11R
Shakespeare’s: Macbeth- Research and Literary Criticism Report
Goal:
 Through writing this report, students will practice and further develop the skills of analytical
writing and reading, using literary criticism and the play Macbeth to develop a common claim.
Common Core Standards:
W.11.1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant
and sufficient evidence.
a. Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from
alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and
evidence.
b. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant evidence for each while
pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level, concerns,
values, and possible biases.
c. Use words, phrases, and clauses as well as varied syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and
clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and
counterclaims.
d. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline
in which they are writing.
e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
W.11.7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated
question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the
subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
W11.8. Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches
effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; integrate
information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source
and following a standard format for citation.
Tasks:
I.
II.
Choose topic and literary criticism piece
Conduct a close reading analysis of the criticism, noting connections to the plot of Macbeth
III.
Arrive at a common claim both pieces make (to be used as a thesis)
IV.
Create a “quick outline” of bulleted points of evidence that supports the common claim
V.
VI.
Write report following the rubric
Create a works cited page for ALL resources used
Grades:
 Close Reading Analysis
 Thesis
 Outline
 Report
 Works Cited Page
***The max grade able to be earned on this assignment is an 85 BUT if a student chooses to do
independent research to locate ONE additional piece of literary criticism related to the chosen topic
he/she will have the opportunity to earn up to a 100.
Task I: Choosing a topic and criticism.
 Below is a list of the topics this report can cover and the literary criticism that will be used
with it. Choose ONE topic and article to explore and connect to Macbeth.
a. Historical Context and Connections:
"The Historical Context of Macbeth." EXPLORING Shakespeare. Detroit: Gale,
2003.Student Resources In Context. Web. 13 Apr. 2013.
b. Ambition and the Desire for Power:
Foakes, R. A. "Images of Death: Ambition in Macbeth." EXPLORING Shakespeare.
Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resources In Context. Web. 13 Apr. 2013.
c. Mysticism and Witchcraft:
Stallybrass, Peter. "Macbeth and Witchcraft." EXPLORING Shakespeare. Detroit: Gale,
2003. Student Resources In Context. Web. 13 Apr. 2013.
d. Gender RolesLong, Michael. "Men, Women and Babes." Macbeth. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1989.
[54]-64. Twayne's New Critical Introductions to Shakespeare 9. Gale Virtual
Reference Library. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
OR
Adelman, Janet. "'Born of Woman': Fantasies of Maternal Power in Macbeth." Cannibals,
Witches, and Divorce: Estranging the Renaissance. Ed. Marjorie Garber.
Baltimore: Johns Hopkins UP, 1987. 90-121.
e. False AppearancesBenjamin, Shanna Greene. "Race, Faces, and False Fronts: Shakespearean Signifying in
the Colored American Magazine." African American Review 43.4 (2009):
621+. Academic OneFile. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
f. “Manliness” and CowardiceRamsey, Jarold. "The Perversion of Manliness in Macbeth." EXPLORING Shakespeare. Detroit:
Gale, 2003. Student Resources In Context. Web. 13 Apr. 2013.
g. Macbeth as a Tragic Villain- (Was he responsible for his actions…?)
Booth, Wayne. "Shakespeare's Tragic Villain." EXPLORING Shakespeare. Detroit: Gale, 2003.
Student Resources In Context. Web. 13 Apr. 2013.
OR
McCarthy, Mary. "General Macbeth." EXPLORING Shakespeare. Detroit: Gale,
2003.Student Resources In Context. Web. 13 Apr. 2013.
Task II: Conduct a close reading analysis of the criticism, noting connections to the plot of Macbeth
 Whole group modeling: “How to close read literary criticism?”
 Individual and group work on close reading of chosen topics and discussion of issues.
Task III: Arrive at a common claim both pieces (criticism and connection to Macbeth text) make, to be
used as a thesis
 Use organizer to create Tasks III and IV
 MUST be submitted and reviewed by teacher prior to beginning report
Task IV: Create a “quick outline” of bulleted points of evidence that supports the common claim
Task V: Write report following the rubric
 Must abide by the following criteria:

All 12 font, Times New Roman, 1” margins, double spaced

Full MLA style heading (Name, Teacher, Class, Date- day first)

Top right corner page numbers (MLA style)

Original title (centered, 12 font NO BOLD, UNDERLINE or ITALICS!)

Complete MLA style citations for DIRECT QUOTES from BOTH TEXTS
Task VI: Create a works cited page for ALL resources used
 The citations for the resources are listed in this assignment- copy the chosen document citation
 Will need to create an additional citation for Macbeth text
Name: ___________________________________
Outline- Macbeth Literary Criticism Research Report
Thesis/Claim: (COMPLETE SENTENCE!!)
Supporting Evidence: (BULLET POINTS)
Concluding Points: (BULLET POINTS- Connect to humanity…How is this claim real to us?)