Romeo and Juliet Essay

Alright, so after reading and acting out this play we can all agree that Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet is a timeless treasure that captures the human experience; bringing complex themes, like love and loss, to life on the page and should be shared by future generations to come. Right? As a matter of fact, it may surprise you to learn that many people object to the teaching of Romeo and Juliet to high school freshmen based on the sensitive subjects that it contains (ie. gang violence, sex, suicide, drug use, rebellion, etc.). Some schools have even removed Romeo and Juliet from the freshman curriculum arguing: 1. the content is too mature for such a young audience 2. the language is too challenging for a ninth grader to understand 3. the storyline is no longer relevant to the lives of todays students Others defend the teaching of Romeo and Juliet, claiming: 1. the content of the play is not too mature for todays kids 2. the language is manageable with the help of teachers and technology 3. the storyline IS relevant to the lives of todays students

To teach, or not to teach? That is the question.

Directions: As a final assessment for the Romeo and Juliet unit, you will need to write (typed, doublespaced, times new roman, 12pt font) a five paragraph essay that answers:

Should schools teach this play?

This is your chance to either defend Billy Shakes tragic love story or rip it to shreds.

Requirements for the Essay

Your essay will begin with a short intro paragraph where you will summarize the play in less than five sentences. Your intro paragraph MUST end with a clear thesis where you argue why we should or should not teach this play to future generations, and list the three reasons you feel this way, which will be developed in your essay

You need three body paragraphs, with transitions that lead into topic sentences that support your thesis, or main argument. Each argument must be supported with evidence from the story (direct quotations, including annotations) and be formatted according to the MEL-Con paragraph structure. Your concluding paragraph must contain a transition, and restate your thesis, while summarizing the main ideas presented in your essay.

Introduction: Attention Getter/Lead Summary of Story (less than 5 sentences) Thesis Statement (include topics for paragraph #s 1, 2 &3) "Schools should continue/stop teaching Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to high school freshmen because:_____(1)________,________(2)__________and_________(3)______________." Body Paragraph #1: Transition, Topic Sentence concerning item #1 Critics of Romeo and Juliet may argue On the other hand Summary of scene relevant to introducing first piece of evidence (quote) Quote with annotation (Act: Scene: Line) Explanation of how that quote proves the point you are making in the topic sentence Body Paragraph #2: Transition, Topic Sentence concerning item #2 Some people believe While this may be true in some cases Summary of scene relevant to introducing first piece of evidence (quote) Quote with annotation (Act: Scene: Line) Explanation of how that quote proves the point you are making in the topic sentence Body Paragraph #3: Transition, Topic Sentence concerning item #3 It is not uncommon for someone to oppose (removing/keeping) this play (from/in) the curriculum However Summary of scene relevant to introducing first piece of evidence (quote) Quote with annotation (Act: Scene: Line) Explanation of how that quote proves the point you are making in the topic sentence Conclusion: Transition, Restate thesis statement (in other words) Reiterate (go over) your three main points (why readers should adopt your position) Close with a Call to Action asking the reader to do something with the information they've just read