Language Arts 9 assignment
Due Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Mrs. Marston

Writing assignment must be handwritten and may be illustrated.
Play - Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
1. Write - about the actions In the act you have been studying which are examples of public violence and those which are examples of private bliss. You might begin with a lead-in sentence like - In Act___ there are moments of public violence balanced by moments of private bliss. For example, in scene _____, Romeo meets . . . . Be sure to include details of character, action, setting and theme.
 
2. Write a summary of the act you have been studying, including characters, actions, settings and themes.  Illustrate and attach  all scenes in the act in the ways you want the audience to imagine them.
 
3. Write a first draft of a six-paragraph essay explaining the importance of the act you have been working on to the play, Romeo and Juliet  by William Shakespeare.
Each paragraph needs to have at least three sentences.
Paragraph 1-Introduction - Write your thesis statement : Examples: Act__                  introduces the audience to . . . .Act__ is essential to the play in ___            ways. Act__ is the most (moving, violent, blissful . . .) part of the play.          Without Act___, Romeo and Juliet would be just another play. Add 2 supporting sentences.
Paragraph 2 - Characters - Describe the characters‚ physical and personality traits. Describe how each character's presence in this act supports your thesis statement.
Paragraph 3 - Setting.  Describe the places and times of this act.
         Describe how the settings in this act support your thesis statement.
Paragraph 4 - Actions - Describe the important plot elements in this act.
         Describe how the actions in this act support your thesis statement.
Paragraph 5 - Identify the themes of this act.
         Describe how the themes in this act support your thesis statement.
Paragraph 6 - Conclusion - Restate your thesis statement.
         Summarize the main points of paragraphs 2 through 5 that support your thesis.
Writing tips:
Make the paragraph the unit of composition            Use the active voice.
Put the statements in positive form.   Use definite, specific, concrete language.
Omit needless words.  Avoid a succession of loose sentences.
Express coordinate ideas in similar  form.   Keep related words together.
In summaries, keep to one tense.   Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end.