Name:
English IV
PREPARING THE THESIS, OUTLINE, and INTRODUCTION
Goals:
 to formulate a single judgmental sentence that will act as the position or
stance for the writer
 to generate a topic outline that will lay out the structure of the essay and
the support it will contain
 to create a strong introductory paragraph
Steps:
1. Judgment: Review your Topic Study notes to extract a judgment.
THESIS
Thesis pattern:
SUBJECT
STRONG VERB PHRASE
JUDGMENTAL EXPRESSION
OF ESSAY’S MAIN IDEA
Examples:
 The powerful protagonist Macbeth was drastically different than the
historical Macbeth because Shakespeare wanted to entertain his readers with
blood and gore.

The mental disorders that affect Macbeth and Lady Macbeth act as a
constant reminder to the reader that the characters in the play cannot escape
their guilty consciences.

Model Thesis: The supernatural elements in Macbeth act as more than
spectacle and hooks of fascination; collectively, they represent ornamental
symbols of something much deeper.
Note these traits of the thesis: BROAD, JUDGMENTAL, CLEAR, and
PROVABLE
The thesis is your judgment sentence, the proof statement, the controlling
sentence of the essay.
2. Thesis: Formulate a Thesis according to the pattern above.
OUTLINE
Model Outline
I. Introduction
A. Attention Getter:
i. Generic/Visualization/Quote
B. Thesis: The supernatural elements in Macbeth act as more than
spectacle and hooks of fascination; collectively, they represent
ornamental symbols of something much deeper.
II. Body Paragraph #1: General Effects
A. Uneasiness
i. Sympathy for Macbeth
ii. Identification with Macbeth
B. Power of the imagination
i. Makes supernatural influence possible
ii. Humanity’s capacity
C. Fate
i. Otherworldliness of the word
ii. Witches “weird sisters” (transition)
III. Body Paragraph #2: Witches
A. Shakespeare begins with the witches
i. Their effects on audience / Macbeth
1. Spectacle
2. Fascination
ii. Foreshadowing
B. As Symbols
i. Temptation
ii. Imagination
C. Apparitions
i. Real or not?
ii. Temptation and illusion (transition)
IV. Body Paragraph #3: Other Supernatural Elements
A. Dagger
i. Witches’ vision or Macbeth’s imagination
ii. Symbolism
B. Banquo’s ghost
i. Real or not?
ii. Symbolism
V. Conclusion
A. Restatement/Drawing Implications
3. Outline: Generate three or more areas of proof to form an outline for your
paper. The outline should have 5 Roman Numerals and answer this
question: What are the broad areas that should be covered in the paper in
order to prove the thesis? TIP: Think chronological order.
I. Introduction
a. Attention Getter:
i.
b. Thesis:
II. Body Paragraph #1:
a.
i.
ii.
b.
i.
ii.
c.
i.
ii.
III. Body Paragraph #2:
a.
i.
ii.
b.
i.
ii.
c.
i.
ii.
IV. Body Paragraph #3:
a.
i.
ii.
b.
i.
ii.
c.
i.
ii.
V. Conclusion
a.
INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH
Types of Introductory Paragraph
 The generic intro, Visualization, and Quote:
Models
 The Generic Intro:
Call it curiosity, or call it spectacle. Human nature compels itself toward
exploring the otherworldly, and supernatural happenings fascinate even
disbelievers. Shakespeare knew of this very human fascination, and it is through
this that he exploits and hooks his audience. Even so, the supernatural elements
in Macbeth act as more than spectacle and hooks of fascination; collectively, they
represent ornamental symbols of something much deeper.

Visualization:
The stage is dark and smoky. The eyes overwork at focusing on shadowy
figures moving around in that darkness. As the lights gradually rise to a faint
dimness, the eyes behold three old, repulsive, and twisted figures. These are the
witches of Shakespeare's Macbeth. The sight of them excites a childhood horror,
intense curiosity, and the feeling that onlookers are about to be taken for a ride.
The stage is set, and although it may be a feast for the eyes, it does not take long
to realize that the supernatural elements in Macbeth act as more than spectacle
and hooks of fascination; collectively, they represent ornamental symbols of
something much deeper.

Quote:
" Or why / Upon this blasted heath you stop our way / With such
prophetic greeting? Speak, I charge you" (I.iii.76-78). These words, spoken by
Macbeth to the witches, become increasingly ironic and painful as they echo
throughout this, Shakespeare's most disturbing, play. For this reason, the
supernatural elements in Macbeth act as more than spectacle and hooks of
fascination; collectively, they represent ornamental symbols of something much
deeper.
4. Intro Paragraph: