Romeo and Juliet Final Essay Prompt
English I Honors ~ Mrs. Busarello
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Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a commonly taught, read, and performed play for multiple
reasons. Its themes are both universal and multifaceted, its characters are full-bodied, and the
playwright’s style is masterful. Between the feuding families and their toils exist lines of sheer genius
that weave together literary techniques, comic relief, and tragic emotions seamlessly.
For this essay, you are going to examine how these three elements—character, theme, and style—
come together. You will explore one specific character and how he or she relates to the themes of
the text through one enduring trait. The literary techniques that Shakespeare utilized will serve as the
support for your analysis. In essence, analyze how Shakespeare characterizes your chosen
character through the use of literary devices that indicate his/her role in the overall themes of the
play. Use the blog as a starting point/reference.
Tips/Checklist:
1. This PERSUASIVE essay should include a traditional intro, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
2. You must include a minimum of five direct quotations from the play.
3. Your essay must be in MLA format (no title page needed).
4. You must include a Works Cited page.
Due Dates:
Intro Paragraph/Outline: ___________________
Rough Draft/ Peer Edit: ____________________
Final Essay (via email): ____________________
INTRO PARAGRAPH
Hook:
 Your choice. . .see “HITT” handout for ideas
Info (Bridge to Thesis):
 Lead reader logically, in several well-developed sentences, to your thesis
 Provide some background information about character
 Comment on Shakespeare’s use of language
Thesis:
 Prove that Shakespeare uses language (literary devices) to characterize a specific character of
your choice.
 Eg. In Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare uses imagery to (suggest, imply, express, etc.)
Friar Lawrence’s ___________________________ (or something to that effect).
Transition:
 Be sure to move your reader to your body paragraph. Don’t end abruptly.
BODY PARAGRAPHS (3 or 4)
 Each should begin with some kind of logical transitioning sentence, not a “plop” generalized
transition like “Next” “Second of all” or “Lastly”; The reader should FEEL the transition, not be
hit in the face with it
 Organize body paragraphs chronologically, by lit. device, in order of least obvious to most
striking, by what character says to what others say (perspectives), etc.
 Use whatever order works for your examples or character, but be PURPOSEFUL!
 Embed your quoted phrases naturally, and be sure to cite each appropriately
 Analyze not plot summarize; you are proving that language (i.e. imagery) is the method of
characterization not that Romeo did impulsive acts.
CONCLUSION
 Sum up, but do not repeat prior wording of, your main points
 Provide synthesizing insights
 Suggest what theme(s) the author suggests by the characterization
OTHER HELPFUL HINTS
 Review your individual writing goals and past corrections. 
 Review your notes for our class writing lessons—especially thesis statements, sentencing, and
diction/word choice. 
 Try to vary your sentence structures and wording so that writing flows and is not choppy, trite,
or blasé. 
 Come for help when you need it. 
 If you have a question, email me at pbusarello@lrhsd.org. 