Name ____________________
Date _____________________
Period ____________________
To perform…or not to perform?
Recently, the entire seventh grade attended a production by the Chamber
Performance Company at the SCSU Lyman Center for the Performing Arts. Based
on the stories that you read/discussed in class and the performances that you
viewed, you will compose a three paragraph essay that is comprised of an
introduction, a paragraph that addresses the differences between the play and
text and an argument as to whether the plays enhanced (improved) or detracted
(took away) from the stories we studied in class. Lastly, you will also create a
conclusion to this writing piece.
Step #1: Decide on one of the stories/plays to focus primarily on and become a
critic. Choose one play production/text version that you clearly remember.
Highlight your choice below.
“The
“The
“The
“The
“The
Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs
Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe
Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant
Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain
Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving
Step #2: Complete the attached short story organizer to explain the components
(character, mood, setting, and plot) you will be focusing on before the field trip.
Step #3: Complete the attached play organizer to explain the components
(character, mood, setting, and plot) you will be focusing on in your writing piece
after you have attended the theatre trip.
You will now need to plan what your 3 paragraph response will be about for your
writing piece. Create a graphic of your choice to organize your thoughts below.
(Example- spider web, tower)
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Step #4: Begin to plan your rough draft of the 3 paragraph essay. You should
use the template that follows on the next page.
Name ________________________
Date _________________________
Period ________________________
Essay organizer for _______________________________________
Element: _______________________________________________
Paragraph #1: Introduction
Attention getter:
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Thesis:
Clearly take a stance as to whether you felt the theatrical version improved or
detracted from the text version. State the three general reasons as to why the
play detracted from or enhanced the text version. (Include at least two transition
words)
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Paragraph #2: Body paragraph
Contrast the differences between one element of the play/text. Discuss some of
the changes between the different versions. Clearly take a stance as to whether
you felt the theatrical improved or detracted from the text version. Argue as to
why these changes positively or negatively impacted the element you focused on.
Refer back to the text to support your writing. (Include a topic sentence,
supporting sentences with details and elaboration, and at least three transition
words)
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Paragraph #3: Conclusion
Summarize the essay by restating your original thesis and three reasons. Use at
least two transition words in this paragraph.
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