Name: _______________________________
The Crucible Expository Essay
Levels 1, 2, 3
The writing assessment for this marking period is an expository essay exploring one of the themes of The
Crucible. This essay will count as one test grade for marking period one. The prompts relate to the four key
themes we will analyze during our study of the play: fear; repression; power; and community. Your
introduction paragraph should have a hook, thesis statement, introduce the theme incorporating the given
quote, and make a connection to the play. The body paragraphs of your paper should elaborate on different
examples of how you see these themes being developed in the play. The final paragraph should be a
conclusion that summarizes the main points you made in your paper.
Expository Prompt Choices:
You need to pick one of the following prompts as the topic of your essay:
1. American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in
the world.” Although fear is a common human emotion, our response to it varies. Using examples from
The Crucible and your own experience, write an essay analyzing a particular response to fear and the
effect of that response.
2. British historian Hugh Williams writes, “Repression will provoke rebellion.” Using examples from The
Crucible and your own experience, write an essay analyzing how repressing individual freedoms and
desires— in the interest of harmony—can have the unintended consequence of manifesting chaos.
3. James Madison, a Founding Father, said, “The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it
must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.” Using examples from The Crucible and your own
experience, write an essay analyzing how a society disintegrates when its leaders exploit their power.
4. The author Victor Hugo writes, “Society is a republic. When an individual tries to lift themselves above
others, they are dragged down by the masses, either by ridicule or slander.” Using examples from The
Crucible and your own experience, write an essay analyzing how human failings, such as petty
jealousies, selfish ambitions or peer pressure, can lead to tragic consequences.
The expository essay should be a minimum of 500 words. It must be typed and in MLA format.
This essay will count as a test grade for MP 1 and is due: _____________________
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In order for your essay to be counted as completed you must post it to Turnitin.com
Late essays will lose 10 points each day.
Plagiarism will result in a zero.
Check box for success!!!!
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Attention grabbing opening
Vivid and descriptive language
Dialogue that moves the narrative along
An ending concludes effectively
A clearly developed point of view
Use strong sensory details to make the character(s) and events come alive