Romeo and

Juliet

Close study essay response

The practice essay
question:

– Stories become valued over time when they

explore challenging and enduring concepts
relevant to humanity.
– Discuss this idea with close reference to the
Shakespearean play you have studied in class
this term.
Thesis Statement

– Introduction: Start with your thesis – Stories that have enduring value
statement. Recycle the wording of explore concepts such as societal
the question in your thesis values and aspects of human
statement, for example: behaviour that transcend time.
Body paragraph arguments:
– Next, outline your body paragraph
arguments in your introduction AFTER
your thesis statement.
– Cite the title of the text, the date of
publication and the author’s name.
– The text title/s should be underlined.
– Your arguments should outline a cause,
and an effect.
– The play, Romeo and Juliet, (1589-1595)
by William Shakespeare retains its appeal
for audiences across time because it
explores how focusing on reputation can
an lead individuals to lose touch with the
importance of caring for others.
Additionally, Romeo and Juliet is a
compelling exploration of the way that
romantic relationships can conflict with
an individual’s family loyalty. The play
also explores how the circumstances of
your birth can affect your destiny.
First body paragraph
– Topic sentence: Restate your
argument from the introduction.
– Remember to recycle the wording
of the question in your topic
sentence.
– Your argument should have a cause
and an effect
– Romeo and Juliet appeals to
audiences across time because it
explores how pride in one’s
reputation can cause individuals to
lose touch with compassion for
others.
Supporting evidence from the
play
– You should aim to show how the
prideful behaviour of the
Montagues and the Capulets is
shown to be destructive in the
play.
– Have an example from near the
start of the play, then one from a
bit later in the play, then one from
near the end of the play. Provide
quotes to support your ideas.
– Capulet and Montague care more
about appearing to be powerful in
Verona, than they care about the
safety and happiness of those
around them. Ironically, this
destroys their reputations and
their relationships.
– 1) Provide an example from near
the start of the play to prove that
Capulet and/or Montague only
care about their reputations.
Supporting evidence from the
play
– 2) Provide an example from further
on in the play that shows that their
prideful behaviour is
destructive/infectious

– 3)Provide an example from near the

end of the play that shows the
consequences of their prideful
behaviour.
– For each example you need a quote
from the play, a technique if there is
one, and an explanation.
Closing sentence
– Complete your paragraph with a
sentence that sums up your case
and recycles the key words in the
question.
– Thus, the play retains its relevance
because it explores the enduring
idea that it is more important to
nurture relationships than to care
about your reputation.
Second body paragraph

– Topic sentence: Restate your – Additionally, Romeo and Juliet

argument from the introduction. shows how romantic relationships
– Remember to recycle the wording can conflict with an individual’s
of the question in your topic loyalty to their family.
sentence.
– Your argument should have a cause
and an effect
Supporting evidence from the
play
– You should aim to show how Romeo and Juliet
disobey their parents and even break the law in
order to is shown to pursue their romantic
relationship.
– Have an example from near the start of the play,
then one from a bit later in the play, then one
from near the end of the play. Provide quotes to
support your ideas.
– 1) Provide an example from near the start of the
play to prove that Romeo and Juliet are aware
that in pursuing their romance they must go
against their parents wishes.
– 2) Provide an example from further on in the play
that shows how they plan to wed/the part the
friar plays in their deceptive act.
– 3) An example that
– Shows how their deception begins to unravel
– 4)Provide an example from later on that shows
the consequences of their actions
– For each example you need a quote from the play,
a technique if there is one, and an explanation.
Closing sentence
– Complete your paragraph with a
sentence that sums up your case
and recycles the key words in the
question.
– Therefore, the play continues to
appeal to audiences because it
explores the complex nature of
loyalty, and questions whether it is
more important to follow your
heart or remain loyal to your
family.
Second body paragraph

– Topic sentence: Restate your – The play also explores how the
argument from the introduction. circumstances of your birth can
– Remember to recycle the wording affect your destiny.
of the question in your topic
sentence.
– Your argument should have a cause
and an effect
Supporting evidence from the
play
– You should aim to show how
Shakespeare focuses on the impact
of fate on the destiny of Romeo and
Juliet.
– Have an example from near the start
of the play, then one from a bit later
in the play, then one from near the
end of the play. Provide quotes to
support your ideas.
– 1) Provide an example from near the
start of the play showing how the
chorus describes the lovers as
victims of fate.
– 2) Provide an example from further
on in the play that demonstrates
Romeo’s belief that he is subject to
his fate
– 3)Provide an example from near the
end of the play that shows how
Romeo and Juliet meet their destiny.
Closing sentence
– Complete your paragraph with a
sentence that sums up your case
and recycles the key words in the
question.
– Therefore, the play resonates with
audiences because of the way it
considers challenging ideas such as
the conflict between notions of
fate and the human desire to
control one’s destiny.
Conclusion
– Use a concluding conjunction in
your first sentence
– Recycle the wording of the
question one more time
– Repeat your arguments
– Therefore, the story of Romeo and
Juliet continues to be valued over
time because of the way it explores
challenging and enduring concepts
such as the importance of
compassion over reputation, the
complexities of divided loyalty and
the conflict between fate and free
will.