Romeo and Juliet: The Essay!
You will be composing a full-length analytical essay on a topic of your choice having to do with the play
Romeo and Juliet. You will compose the essay by following these steps:
 use the big ideas we came up with in class to guide you into choosing a central idea; this central
idea will be an opinionated statement
 brainstorm for evidence from the text that will support your central idea; at some point you will
reference the text directly and locate exact quotes
 compose a thesis statement that properly states your central idea and previews your evidence
 create an outline that lays out the order in which you will prove your central idea
 type a rough draft of your essay for review
 edit your rough draft and make it final
From Big Idea to Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is a sentence that states an opinion and previews the evidence that will be used to
support that opinion. It has two parts:
Central idea: the unique and educated opinion that a writer has about a text
Preview of Evidence: three brief reasons that back up the writer’s opinion; these must come
directly from the text, but will only be previewed here—so no direct quotes yet
Example of a thesis statement:
In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, the author shows that desperate times call for desperate
measures through George’s lies, Lennie’s outburst of violence, and George’s killing of Lennie.
Central idea: In Of Mice and Men, desperate times call for desperate measures.
Preview of evidence:
A. George lying about being Lennie’s cousin
B.Lennie breaking Curley’s hand
C.George shooting Lennie.
How do you know if your argument is strong?
1. Is your central idea debatable?
That is, could someone disagree with it? The answer should be YES. An analytical essay shows your
UNIQUE point of view, which will naturally differ from others’. The statement “The theme that love
conquers all is present in Romeo and Juliet” is NOT a debatable statement.
2. Is your argument specific?
Or is it a very broad topic with little indication of what you think or how you will present it?
“Shakespeare uses symbols to get across his themes to the audience” is far too broad.
3. Does your thesis statement answer the questions “how?” or “why?”
The evidence you preview should answer how and why your central idea will be proven or why it is so.
4. Does your argument pass the “WHO CARES?” test?
If your argument is too elementary it does not show your reader that you did much thinking. No one
wants to read an essay that has nothing interesting to say.
Romeo and Juliet
Analytical Essay Rubric
Name: ________________________________________________
Introduction
(10)
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begins broadly
contains ONLY information that will be discussed
begins with a hook
ends with thesis statement
Body
paragraphs
(10)
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topic sentences are complete and introduce the evidence
unified—stays on topic
follow the order stated in thesis statement
Conclusion
(10)
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restates thesis statement in a new way
relates the central idea to the real world
does NOT introduce new information
ends broadly
Thesis
statement
(15)
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states your point
previews evidence
is specific
answers the questions how/why?
is grammatically correct
appears at the end of your intro. paragraph
Evidence
(30)

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clear examples
quotes are integrated into sentences and flow smoothly with your own writing
sufficient explanation for how each quote or example supports your point
citations are accurate
Conventions
(25)
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third person POV only
correct spelling and capitalization
correct grammar and punctuation
no run-ons, fragments, or awkward sentences
indented paragraphs
double-spaced, 12 pt. font
title is italicized (Romeo and Juliet)
TOTAL: