English 1DI - ENG2DI



English 2DI

Romeo and Juliet Exam Preparation Name: ________________________

You will be required to write a 4 paragraph essay on the exam. You will have a choice of questions to answer, and you will choose one question to answer. You are expected to use the point, proof (with context), explanation link method.

A. Recall the important tips re: formal writing:

• Use third person point of view (do not use “I” or “you”)

• Write in present tense

• Avoid parentheses (round brackets)

• Avoid contractions (eg. can’t, won’t)

• Avoid clichés and slang language

B. Recall the components of a good thesis statement:

• True (it has to be true in order to argue it)

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C. Recall paragraph structure:

• a clear topic sentence outlining the topic of your paragraph (what you will argue)

• point – make a point or claim

• proof

o give evidence from the text (use a quotation in most cases)

o provide the context for that evidence (what is happening at the time? Who is speaking? To whom? Where does this occur? etc.)

• explanation: what do I need to explain to my reader about the evidence before I comment on its significance? For example, do I need to explain what the quotation means?

• link – so what? why is this quotation important? how does this evidence connect to the point I am making? How does this evidence connect to the topic sentence of my paragraph and the thesis of my essay?

• Use transitions, guiding the reader from one point to the next (eg. First, second, third; at the beginning of the play, later on, at the end of the play; Near the beginning, After ______, Finally, When ______ happens, )

• Provide a concluding sentence that restates your topic sentence in a fresh new way

D. From the MLA Handbook for Writers, consider the following rules for correct format of citing a Shakespearean play:

i. If you quote dialogue that is spoken by one character, it can be incorporated into your text with quotation marks, followed by the citation. Notice a forward slash (/) is used to indicate a new line in the play (as it appears in the text).

Example:

Romeo displays teenage infatuation through his fickle emotions. When Benvolio tries to extract the reason for Romeo’s sadness, Romeo is pining over his supposed love for Rosaline, even though “She’ll not be hit / with Cupid’s arrow; she hath Dian’s wit” (1.1.205-6). Yet, later in the first act at the Capulet’s feast, he observes Juliet for the first time and asks himself, “Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! / For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” (1.5.52-53). Although Romeo claims to persistently love Rosaline, who is not interested in romance, he quickly chides himself for loving her when he glimpses Juliet’s beauty. Romeo’s emotions are changeable: his claims of love are fickle and focused on beauty.

ii. If you quote dialogue between two or more characters in a play, set the quotation off from your text. Begin each part of the dialogue with the character’s name indented one inch (10 spaces) from the left margin, and type the character’s letters in capitals. Continued lines are indented another ¼ inch (3 spaces).

Example:

Dramatic irony is evident when Tybalt confronts Romeo in a public place to revenge his intrusion at the Capulet feast. The dialogue emphasizes the audience’s knowledge of Romeo and Juliet’s marriage:

ROMEO. Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee

Doth much excuse the appertaining rage

To such a greeting. Villain am I none;

Therefore farewell; I see thou know’st me not.

TYBALT. Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries

That thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw.

ROMEO. I do protest, I never injured thee,

But love thee better than thou canst devise. (3.1.61-68)

Romeo claims he loves Tybalt in a way that Tybalt cannot imagine, while Tybalt only feels mocked and humiliated. However, the audience is fully aware of Romeo’s new relationship to Tybalt through marriage and can admire Romeo’s intention to therefore keep peace between them.

In the above examples, use different coloured markers to highlight the following elements in each:

• Point

• Proof

• Context for proof

• Explanation

• link

E. Reviewing themes in the play:

On the back page of your Acts 3-5 Booklet, you will find a chart of themes in the play. Make some point form notes about each theme.

Practice: For each of the themes listed on the above chart, create a thesis statement.

Innocence to experience:

True love vs. infatuation:

Fate vs. free will

Humans vs. society

Responsibility for the tragedy:

Choose one of the above themes and create possible topic sentences for two body paragraphs. Brainstorm some possible points to support each body paragraph. Write down some quotations you could use as support.

Body:

Topic Sentence #1:

• point 1 - quotation:

• point 2 - quotation:

• point 3 - quotation:

Topic Sentence #2:

• point 1 - quotation:

• point 2 - quotation:

• point 3 - quotation:

F. Look at the essays you have written this semester: Short Story essay on “Luke Baldwin’s Vow” and To Kill a Mockingbird essay. Reread your essays and feedback. Reread your tracking sheet where you noted the skills you need to pay attention to. What particular aspects of writing will you work at?

|Writing Skill |What I need to remember to do: |

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G. Review the grammar booklets handed out in class.

• Define independent (main) clause:

• Define dependent (subordinate) clause:

• Define subject:

• Define predicate:

Define the following grammatical errors and tell how to fix them.

|Grammatical error |How to fix it |

|Comma splice | |

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|Run-on sentence | |

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|Sentence fragment | |

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