“The Crucible” Paper Assignment – English 11



The Crucible Character Analysis Essay – English 11

Rough Draft: Monday, September 21st

Final Draft: Wednesday September 23rd, with Tii receipt

Write a minimum 2.5-3 page essay in which you answer the following prompt:

1. Based on the events found in all Acts of The Crucible, which character from the options is the most culpable for the events of the Salem Witch Trials?

• Reverend Samuel Parris

• Tituba

• Abigail Williams

• John Proctor

• Thomas & Ann Putnam

• Mary Warren

• Other: ________________________

When developing your response think about the following for your character:

-Relationships -Actions

-Values -Motivations

2. How do these aspects of your character contribute to the hysteria of Salem, more so than any other character?

Do not argue that your character is solely to blame for the Salem Witch Trials, this would be false as there are many characters who effected events during this time. Rather, argue that your character, in particular, is the most culpable based on the above analytical criteria.

High scoring papers will include:

• Final draft typed, MLA Formatting, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font

• An inviting introduction (include author and title of text), with a clear “Although” thesis statement with Green Word concepts

• A minimum of three SPC paragraphs supporting your position, as stated in thesis

• A minimum of FOUR direct quotes. From multiple Acts and with proper parenthetical citations

|SPC in a Nutshell |

|Statement: the argument you are trying to prove |

|Proof: the facts/evidence that will support and help prove your statement/argument |

|Commentary: the analysis/inferences you make, connecting your proof with your statement. (i.e. the glue that holds this |

|argument together.) |

• Statements must include Green Word/s, which will be supported by proof and explained and analyzed in the commentary.

• Proof is smoothly integrated and properly cited, supporting the argument/s of the statement/s.

• Commentary connects proof and statement/s together, explaining the relevance and offering further insights/inferences into the character’s thoughts, actions, and motivations based upon proof.

• High-quality writing conventions (fluid and diverse sentence structures, strong vocabulary/phrasing, etc.)

• Appropriate formal tone:

o Do not refer to yourself in the writing.

o Do no ask questions of the reader. (It’s a paper, not a conversation.)

o No contractions, eg. “didn’t”.

o No exclamation marks.

The Crucible Character Analysis Sample Paragraph

Statement:

|Abigail’s increasing desperation towards John Proctor makes her an unpredictable and volatile character whose sole intent is to claim Proctor |

|as her own, no matter the repercussions to the community of Salem. |

Proof:

|Despite Proctor’s resistance to her declaration of love, Abigail exclaims, “A wild thing may say wild things. But not so wild, I think” (Act |

|One, Line 177). |

Commentary:

|Abigail admits that she is a wild individual and it is this very characterization that makes her a threat to the Salem community. She exhibits|

|no remorse in her relationship with Proctor; rather she defiantly proclaims her love for him. If anything, her attitude is cavalier, uncaring |

|of the outside world’s opinion of her alleged love of this married man. This relationship goes against the morality of the Puritans, |

|threatening the unity and ideals of the Salem community if it is uncovered. |

Transition Sentence/s to a new idea in next paragraph:

|Abigail’s every action in Act One is to cover up the affair and her motivation for dancing in the woods, that being to conduct a charm which |

|would kills Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth. These deceptions prove to be the catalyst to the larger events and repercussions of the witch trials, |

|claiming the lives of countless innocent souls. |

*Reference teal SPC notes handout for further guidance*

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