SELECT ONE OPTION to WRITE YOUR PAPER ON AND LABEL IT w/ Option #.
Students who did well on the WKCE may earn the right to work w/ a partner or skip the
test. We’ll discuss the criteria more in class.
OPTION #1 Compare and Contrast Caesar and Brutus
How are Caesar and Brutus alike and different? Think of their backgrounds, personalities,
positions, strengths, weaknesses, etc. Have at least four differences and three or more
similarities. Who would you prefer to have as a leader? Provide SPECIFIC textual support. (3
body paragraphs - paragraph on how alike, how different, and who is the better leader)
OPTION #2 Evaluating Characters' Decisions
Brutus and Cassius decided that Caesar was power hungry and unjust. They were uncomfortable
with going from a democracy to a dictatorship and were upset that Caesar overthrew Pompey.
What action did Brutus and Cassius want to take against Caesar? What other options do they
have? Evaluate the consequences for the various decisions. What do you think their best course
of action would have be and why? (3 body paragraphs: their plan, other options, best idea w/
justification)
OPTION #3 Compare and Contrast Brutus and Anthony's Speeches Act III
Your task is to compare and contrast the two speeches of Brutus and Antony. You should pull
out as much as possible from the two speeches. The more you analyze, the more you'll
understand all the different things they said and how they tried to persuade the people. Antony is
excellent at turning the crowd! Analyze how he does it. Use SPECIFICS from the speeches. (3
body paragraphs: Brutus’s speech, Antony’s speech, and why Antony was more persuasive to the
crowd)
OPTION #4 Compare and Contrast Brutus and Cassius Compare Brutus and Cassius. Try
to provide as many examples in each category as possible. Use direct quotes and specific
examples. The following categories are suggestions. Use them or use other categories. You
don’t have to address them all. (3 body paragraphs: select any three areas to compare or contrast
them)
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Ethics/Morals
Emotions
Portia's Death
Battle Plan / Control
Support for each other
Motivations
OPTION #5 Examining Conflicts
QWhat person vs. person conflicts, person vs. self, person vs. society, and person vs.
environment conflicts are most central to this play? Could these conflicts have been avoided or
resolved in a better way? (3 body paragraphs: select two types of conflict and have a paragraph
on each one: person vs. person, person vs. self, or person vs. society and then have a paragraph
on OTHER ways characters could have handled those conflicts)
POINTS DOUBLED 100 POINTS!
INTRO and CONCL
INTRO gives an overview of the story, and overview paper (thesis/claim), and
catches attention. AVOIDS phrases like “this paper is about” OR “I will write
about” – 3 sent min
LIT ONLY - Main pts are woven into intro instead of just being put in a list.
CONCL. restates main points w/ out going into new info. 3 sentences min
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ORGANIZATION and TOPIC SENTENCES
Body paragraphs– Each body paragraph has a distinct focus and is focused on
the thesis/claim – does NOT retell the story. Body paragraphs at least 6
sentences each.
Interesting, Broad TOPIC SENTENCES that preview what the paragraph will
be about w/out going into detail and are varied. AVOID short, choppy topic
sentences. TRANSITIONS are used w/ topic sentences to help move from one
paragraph to another.
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CONTENT/SPECIFICS
Adequate Textual Support and Accurate Info—Follow Project Guidelines—Have
three or more specific, DISTINCT examples for each body paragraph – one of
which should be a direct quote (3 direct quotes total – one for each body paragraph
/ 3 examples for ea paragraph 9 total – some can be paraphrased)
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PARENTHETICAL CITATIONS and QUOTES
Proper Citations and quotes – Punctuation OUTSIDE the ( ) – Introduce and set up
the quotes - Use at least three direct QUOTES (Shakespeare Act I, Scene ii, Lines
12-15).
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MECHANICS/CONVENTIONS/Proof!
Proofread carefully and get others to proof read. Do not start sent w/ so.
No awkward wording.
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DEVELOPMENT/FORMAT
1 ½ -2 Pages Double Spaced (can be longer) – standard 12 point font—NO
skipping extra lines between paragraphs - Standard 1 inch margins - LABEL the
OPTION you SELECTED on the top of the paper w/ your name and hour
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FLUENCY
Vary sentence structure/Use transitions/Avoid Short Choppy Sentences
START at least one sentence a subordinating conjunction (because, although,
since, even though, etc.) and UNDERLINE the ENTIRE sentence. (Complex
Sent)
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WORD CHOICE
Avoid words such as good or bad. Have accurate, interesting word choices.
Formal / academic tone. AVOID saying you.
Lit ONLY– avoid personal references and contractions
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Did you underline your your complex sentence that starts w/ a
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION?
Papers MUST be typed and shared in Google Docs.
LABEL your OPTION # on the TOP