Romeo and Juliet: Writing Portfolio
Curriculum Expectations
W1 – Developing and Organizing Content
Research (W1.3)
Organizing Ideas (W1.4)
W2 - Writing: Using Knowledge of Form and Style
Form (W2.1)
Voice (W2.2)
Diction (W2.3)
Sentence craft and fluency (W2.4)
W3 – Writing: Applying Knowledge of Conventions
Spelling (W3.1)
Punctuation (W3.3)
Grammar (W3.4)
Publishing (W3.6)
Producing Finished Works (W3.7)
W4 – Reflecting on Skills and Strategies
Portfolio (W4.3)
In this unit, you will be required to write on various topics and in several different forms. Some writing tasks will be creative, some informative, and some personal opinion. You will be required to write on six assigned tasks and will submit your work in a portfolio / duotang. However, you will also be given the opportunity to select what you consider to be your three best pieces to be formally evaluated.
Specific Criteria:
1) You must complete 6 writing tasks, with at least 1 writing task per act (There are 5 acts so you will complete 2 tasks on one of the acts)
2) Your 6 writing tasks must be made up of the following:

2 creative tasks

2 opinion tasks
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2 informative tasks
You will hand in all 6 in a duotang / folder. 3)
4)
5)
You will select 3 of the writing tasks for evaluation: 1 creative, 1 opinion, and 1 informative.
It is important that you look over the rubric to make sure you are doing exactly what you should to maximize your marks. Specifically for the creative tasks, you should be aware that you are also being marked on presentation features.
6) All tasks should be 300-400 words in length and organized into paragraphs (or another organizational method – depending on the task).
7) All quotations from the play should be introduced and explained. Also punctuate properly and provide act, scene, and line numbers.
8) Somewhere in your portfolio you must explain your reasons why you chose the 3 writing tasks to be evaluated. Be specific and thorough. Fully explain why you think those three pieces were the best.
Writing Tasks
Act 1
Creative: Diary entry from Romeo: about Rosaline, his depression, view on life, meeting Juliet, and anything else you wish to add. The diary entry should “look” authentic and “sound” like Romeo.
Opinion: Do you believe in love at first sight? Why or why not? Be sure to back up your opinion with specific examples and support.
Informative: “Star-Cross’d Lovers” - What role does fate or the stars play in Act 1 (including prologue)?
Be specific and include quotations and examples from the play to answer the question. Do you believe in horoscopes / fate / destiny? Why or why not?

Act 2
Creative: Diary entry from Juliet: about Romeo, the fact that he is her enemy, thoughts on Paris, how she is going to make her marriage to Romeo work, her worries, hopes for the future, and anything else you wish to add. The diary entry should “look” authentic and “sound” like Juliet.
Opinion: What do you think is more successful: arranged or love marriages? Why? Be sure to back up your thoughts with specific examples and support.
Informative: “The Accomplices” - Describe the Nurse and Friar Lawrence. Why do you think they decide to help Romeo / Juliet? Specifically, how do they help their loved ones? Do you think that they should be helping? Provide quotations and examples from the play to support your points.
Act 3
Creative: Write a newspaper article on Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment. Be sure to write it in proper newspaper format and include quotations from bystanders or other involved people. You will also need a headline, byline, photo and caption.
Opinion: Is honesty always the best policy? Should Romeo and Juliet admit what they have done?
Provide your own thoughts on these two questions. Be sure to back up your opinion with specific examples and support.
Informative: “To blame or not to blame” -Who is at fault: Tybalt or Romeo? Choose one of these characters and justify your answer with specific evidence from the play. Provide quotations and examples from the play to support your points.
Act 4
Creative: Write an obituary for Juliet, describing her family, personality, hopes and dreams, and anything else you wish to add. You should also mention where her funeral is to take place and places where donations can be sent. The obituary should “look” authentic and “sound” like a proper death notice.
Opinion: Desperate times call for desperate measures. Describe a time when you (or someone you know) have done something drastic to cover your tracks or lies. Did it work out? If you were Juliet, would you do what she does? Explain.
Informative: “Head of the House of Capulet” - Describe Juliet’s father (from Acts 1 to 4). Explain how he has changed from the beginning of the play to now. Why has he changed so much? Provide quotations and examples from the play to support your points.
Act 5
Creative: Write a police report from Prince Capulet, detailing the events of the evening that saw Paris die, Romeo die, Juliet live then die, and Friar Lawrence arrested and then released. The police report should “look” authentic and “sound” like a proper official report.
Opinion: Is it realistic that the Capulets and Montagues buried their long standing feud after their children’s deaths? Why is it that tragedy often brings people together? Be sure to back up your ideas with specific examples and support.
Informative: “Who’s to blame?” - Choose one character in the play who you feel carries the most blame for what ends up happening to Romeo and Juliet. Justify your choice with quotations and specific examples from the play. (You should use information from the other acts too, not just Act 5)