Marriage Essay
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove . . .
Some Statistics--Grades
93-100
85-92
77-84
69-76
60-68
Below 60
“6”
“5”
“4”
“3”
“2”
“1”
Class Avg.: 76
1/38
5/38
12/38
12/38
6/38
0/38
3%
14%
32%
32%
16%
0%
Introduction Structure
Background Discussion
As illustrated on the outline sheets you were
given
Thesis Statement
Should be the last sentence of the introduction
Should make a specific statement about
marriage
Should connect directly to both pieces of
literature
Introduction Structure
Background Discussion:
In our society, marriage is based on love—a
combination of attraction, shared interests, and
deep friendship. It is supposed to last “til death,”
but the reality is that many marriages die before the
individuals involved. This death can be caused by
people growing apart, the stresses of modern living,
and other reasons, but one of the main causes of
divorce in our society is infidelity, and this
destruction has become the subject of many plots
of film, television, and literature.
Introduction Structure
Thesis Statement:
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and Ethan
Frome, by Edith Wharton, both show that
while unfaithfulness can overcome a
marriage, a marriage that has a deep bond at
its core can overcome infidelity.
Introduction Structure
Shallow vs. Focused Thesis Statements
Shallow: Marriage need love, trust, and
faithfulness in order to survive.
By focusing only one body paragraph on each topic,
your essay lacks a vital depth of focus
Focused: While unfaithfulness can
overcome a marriage, a marriage that has a
deep bond at its core can overcome
infidelity.
Allows you to investigate the topic in depth,
examining its complexity.
Topic/Transition Sentences
TS1: In Ethan Frome, Ethan and Zeena’s marriage is too
weak to survive Ethan’s infatuation with Mattie.
Trans: Like the Frome marriage, the Proctors’ marriage is
threatened by infidelity.
TS2: John Proctor’s affair with Abby, in The Crucible, creates
an atmosphere of distrust in his marriage.
Trans: Despite this pressure, however, the Proctors’ marriage
survives.
TS3: John and Elizabeth’s core love for each other allows
them to overcome John’s affair with Abby by the end of
the play.
Other Issues to Consider—
Diction/Mechanics
 Include a title
 Quote accurately—and provide a page citation
 Italicize play and novel titles;
 Capitalize and spell names correctly;
 Use apostrophes—to show possession, not to
make plurals
 Do not write that combination third body
paragraph (unless you have a completely different
point to make);
 Proofread, spell check—show me that you care.