5-Paragraph Essay

Who is at FAULT for the deaths of Romeo

and Juliet?

Introductory Paragraph

Did you start with a “motivator”? Your first sentence should be general and about:

quotation question Interesting fact

Your next three sentences should be background info on Shakespeare & Romeo and Juliet.

Your last sentence(s) contains the THESIS statement: TAG Focus statement Blueprint

Thesis Statement Your thesis statement is THE

STRONGEST STATEMENT of the ENTIRE ESSAY. It should list:

The title in italics The author’s full name The genre: play or drama or tragedy The focus (Your F-WORD and how he/she/it was

responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet) The three reasons

Body Paragraphs: Transitions

Include a creative transition.

Avoid WORDS like First, Next, In addition Work on using phrases/clauses that connect the

paragraphs: In addition to Friar’s irresponsibility… Not only did the feud cause Romeo to kill Tybalt, the

feud also…

Body Paragraphs: Idea Sentences

Idea Sentences Keep them general – don’t include specific

information: Romeo and Juliet both show foolishness when they

decide to quickly and secretly marry.

Body Paragraphs: Quotations Introduce the quotations by giving the context

in which it was stated. Don’t FLOAT THE QUOTE: tell what was going on in the play when the quotation was stated.

Quote EXACTLY. You cannot change even one word or capital letter. You can use ellipses to take out words. You can use brackets to change/add words.

Cite like this: “words words words” (II.iii.23-24). “words words words?” (III.i.19,21).

Body Paragraphs: Commentary

This should be 1-2 sentences and is the most important part of your body paragraph.

It should explain WHY the your F-WORD is responsible – this is your chance to PROVE your thesis.

Conclusion Paragraph

The THESIS STATEMENT is restated creatively in the first sentence or two.

Then – add three summary sentences in which you restate/review EACH reason.

THEN, draw a conclusion: Tell how your essay/theme/opinion pertains to life. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, and say something

smart!