Romeo and Juliet Multi-Paragraph Essay Assignment
Directions: Students will compose a literary analysis paper that examines a monologue,
soliloquy or dramatic irony found in the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.
Students must support their analysis of the play by using the text of the play.
Purpose:
 To show your critical thinking (analysis) about monologues, soliloquies or dramatic
irony in the play
 To show your ability to support your thinking/analysis with text
 To show your ability to write effectively using good theme structure (intro-bodyconclusion)
 To show your ability to use the conventions of the English language (sentence structure,
punctuation, spelling)
Directions: Choose one of the terms listed below and write an essay that analyzes that usage in
the play, how it helps to develop the play and what it tells us about the characters. Staple your
essay to this handout and turn in by TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26th, at the BEGINNING of
class. This will count as the essay portion of your Romeo and Juliet test.
Requirements:
1. Thorough examination of a monologue, soliloquy or dramatic irony
2. Minimum of 5 paragraphs, 2 pages.
3. Includes and introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
4. Includes quotes from the text to support the analysis.
Possible Monologues:
 Prince Escalus Act 1 Scene 1
 Nurse Act 1 Scene 3
 Mercutio Act 1 Scene 4
 Juliet Act 2 Scene 2
 Benvolio Act 3 Scene 1
 Juliet Act 3 Scene 2
 Romeo Act 3 Scene 3
 Friar Lawrence Act 3 Scene 3
 Capulet Act 3 Scene 5
 Friar Lawrence Act 5 Scene 3
Possible Soliloquies:
 Romeo Act 1 Scene 5
 Romeo Act 2 Scene 2
 Juliet Act 2 Scene 2
 Friar Lawrence Act 2 Scene 3
 Juliet Act 4 Scene 3
 Romeo Act 5 Scene 1
 Romeo Act 5 Scene 3
 Juliet Act 5 Scene 3
Possible Dramatic Irony:
 What the character thinks versus what the audience knows
Name_____________________________________Period___________Date__________
RUBRIC: Analysis of Romeo and Juliet
I. Introduction (10 points)
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 Includes a hook
 Includes a clear thesis statement
 It is an appropriate length and does not include details
 There is a logical and clear connection between hook and thesis sentence
II. Content (50 points)
 Reflects deep critical thinking
 Uses the text to support the claims
 Text used is effective and clearly supports the analysis
 Goes beyond summary to analysis
 3 Body Paragraphs minimum
____________
II. Conclusion (10 points)
 Restates the thesis (in new words)
 Summarizes the major points of the paper
 Brings the paper to an effective close
 Is appropriate length
 No new information is included
____________
IV. Organization (20 points)
____________
 Ideas are presented in a logical order
 Uses transitions between main ideas (paragraphs)
 Paragraphs are well-organized
 Uses transitions inside the paragraphs so ideas connect clearly and so that it is fluent
V. Mechanics (10 points)
 Sentence Structure, Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar
____________
TOTAL (100 points)
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