Directions: Choose ONE of the essay prompts/topics below. Answer your chosen prompt in a five-paragraph essay based around a one-part thesis. Each of your three body paragraphs must include a quote from The Crucible. Since this essay has a more straightforward format than the Close Reading essay for Great Expectations, we will be focusing on the writing process as you move towards producing a final draft. Consequently, you will be required to complete the prewriting work in this packet, write TWO drafts, complete a peer-editing letter, and produce a final draft. Rewrites will NOT be offered on this essay, so visiting the Writing Center is encouraged!
Possible Essay Topics
1. Despite the Puritan background of the citizens of Salem, it seems as though almost every character tells a lie at one time or another throughout The Crucible. What specific role does dishonesty play in The Crucible?
2. Fear and faith are both powerful forces at work in Salem. In your opinion, what does The Crucible say or suggest about the relationship between faith and fear?
3. Many characters in The Crucible seem preoccupied with the status and maintenance of their reputations. What impact does the presence of this reputation-centered mentality have on the evolution of the trials?
Prewriting
Select a topic (circle or star your choice above), and jot down the first few ideas that pop into your head when you think about how you would go about answering your selected question. If you can’t decide on a topic, brainstorm ideas for two topics you’re thinking about. Based on how many ideas you’re able to come up with for each topic, choose one (if drafting doesn’t go well, you can always change your mind later on).
The Term Paper on A Parrallel Between HUAC And The Crucible
Throughout the history of humanity, there are many examples of horrible and completely hideous crimes. While many of the crimes committed were pushed by the desire for power of some persons (mostly men: Adolf Hitler, Pol Pot, Josef Stalin and Idi Amin Dada are good examples), others were realized in the name of God, as the ones who planned them say (all the wars among different religions and, more ...
Brainstorming:
Brainstorm a clear, coherent answer to the question (this will be the basis of your thesis).
Answer:
Now, brainstorm what you could possibly focus on in your three body paragraphs to prove your thesis. In other words, what THREE reasons/ideas will you use to support/justify your thesis?
1.
2.
3.
Formulate your thesis. Your thesis should clearly state your answer to the topic question. Since you will be writing a one part thesis, you do NOT need to include your three supporting reasons or ideas in your thesis. Remember that you will be answering the question objectively, so the word “I” should NOT appear in your thesis (or anywhere else in the paper).
Thesis: _____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Create a logical order of ideas for your paper. One idea (in terms of your thesis) will guide each body paragraph. Under each main idea, brainstorm potential quotes you will pull from The Crucible to support your argument in that body paragraph. You don’t necessarily need to include direct quotes yet; a paraphrase or note that will remind you of a specific quote is fine.
body paragraph 1: ______________________________________________________________________ Possible quotes:
Body Paragraph 2: ______________________________________________________________________ Possible quotes:
Body Paragraph 3: ______________________________________________________________________ Possible quotes:
The Essay on Boy overboard context/quote/explain paragraphs
A context/quote/explain paragraph is like a body paragraph from an analytical essay. You need to reword the statement given, find the quotation that best suits the context and then explain the quotation. Each paragraph needs to be between 50-100 words long. You may write more than the required limit but should not write less than the 50-word minimum. You need to write a minimum of 10 paragraphs to ...
Putting it all Together
1. In your introductory paragraph, include a hook statement/attention grabber that relates to your topic, and include a small amount of background information (assume your reader has read the book).
Be sure to include the title and author (Remember to italicize the title!).
You will end your introduction with your thesis statement.
2. Your three body paragraphs must begin with a topic sentence that transitions into the paragraph, states the main idea of the body paragraph, and relates to the thesis in some way. Support your argument with evidence from the novel. You must include a quote from the novel in each body paragraph to support your claims, and you MUST analyze/discuss the importance of that quote to prove your point! Your analysis should explain specifically HOW each quote proves your thesis. Include a concluding sentence for each body paragraph that connects back to your thesis.
3. In your concluding paragraph, restate your thesis and reinforce the main points of your paper. Any specific items of background information that you referenced in your introduction could be mentioned again. Most importantly, your conclusion should end with a detailed, well thought-out statement of the IMPLICATIONS of your argument. Answer the question of “So what?” Tell your reader why your argument matters or what your argument implies (this is your take-home message).
General Requirements:
Use 12 pt. Times New Roman Font and 1” margins.
Type double-spaced on one side of the paper.
Do not use I, me, we, YOU or any other personal pronouns.
Do not refer to the essay or narrate the essay as you write it – just write it! Do not refer directly to quotes. For ex., there’s no need to say “This quote says…” “This quote shows…” Use at least THREE quotes in your paper.
“Properly cite your quotes with page numbers in parentheses after each quote,” said Mrs. Filush (4).
The Essay on Sentence Composing
1. The conventions of the Kentucky Writing Scoring Rubric are grammar and usage, word choice, correctness, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and abbreviation and documentation. What I would do to teach grammar and usage would be to use Don and Jenny Kilgallon’s book called Sentence Composing for the middle school, which stresses how to combine sentences. It is a somewhat nontraditional ...
Write your essay in present tense. Example – Proctor says…, Abigail believes…
DUE DATES:
Pre-writing Packet:____________________ (5 points)
1st Draft: ____________________ (15 points)
Peer Editing Letter: ____________________ (15 points)
2nd Draft: ____________________ (15 points)
Final Draft: ____________________ (75 points)
Rubric Checklist – The Crucible Essay
INTRO – ______/ 10 pointsComments:
_____ Hook/attention grabber
_____ Background Information
_____ Title, Author (listed correctly)
_____ Thesis Statement offers specific argument in response to topic.
BODY #1– ______/ 15 points
_____ Transition
_____ Topic sentence connects to thesis
_____ Topic sentence includes main idea of paragraph
_____ Paragraph includes quote; quote is cited properly
_____ Context provided for quote/quote well-blended into writing _____ Discusses/analyzes quote to help support argument
_____ Paragraph ends with a connection to the thesis
BODY #2– ______/ 15 points
_____ Transition
_____ Topic sentence connects to thesis
_____ Topic sentence includes main idea of paragraph
_____ Paragraph includes quote; quote is cited properly
_____ Context provided for quote/quote well-blended into writing _____ Discusses/analyzes quote to help support argument
_____ Paragraph ends with a connection to the thesis
BODY #3– ______/ 15 points
_____ Transition
_____ Topic sentence connects to thesis
_____ Topic sentence includes main idea of paragraph
_____ Paragraph includes quote; quote is cited properly
_____ Context provided for quote/quote well-blended into writing _____ Discusses/analyzes quote to help support argument
_____ Paragraph ends with a connection to the thesis
CONCLUSION – ______/ 10 points
_____ Restates thesis
_____ Wraps up main points
_____ Leaves reader thinking about the larger implications
STYLE & MECHANICS – ______/ 10 points
_____ Double spaced; 12 pt. Times New Roman font; 1” margins _____ Essay is written in present tense
_____ No use of I, me, we, or YOU (personal pronouns)
_____ No reference to essay or quote
The Essay on Block Style Point Paragraph One
Compare and contrast essays have several styles to choose from. Two of the most commonly used styles are known as Block style and Point by Point style. These essays are generally used to persuade some one to choose one view over another. Although both styles may express their ideas well, point by point is easier for the reader to comprehend. The opening paragraph in point by point style is in ...
_____ No contractions
_____ Proofread: No grammatical or spelling errors
_____ Sentence structure: Essay is free of fragments and run-ons _____ Style, sentence variety, and diction (word choice)
Final Draft _______/75Prewriting Work (packet): _______/51st Draft: _______/15
Peer Editing Letter: _______/152nd Draft: _______/15
Total Score_______/125Letter Grade: _______
