COMPOSITION ASSIGNMENT
Composition: #4
Due Date: Rough
Draft due Monday, 7 March by all in class
Final Draft due Tuesday,
8 March 2005 by All by NOON in the basket
Topic: Character sketch of
one of the following characters from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Nick Bottom Titania Puck Lysander Hermia
USE PERSONALITY TRAITS NOT PHYSICAL
ATTRIBUTES.
Assignment: Write a
four-paragraph essay describing TWO character traits of ONE of the characters
listed above.
Requirements: 1) A
well-developed introductory paragraph as done in the past.
Sentence #1-General
statement
Sentence #2-Title, author , and character to be dealt with
Sentence #3-More
specific sentence leading to & dealing with thesis idea
Sentence #4-Thesis
statement Concise and clearly stated sentence which
includes mention of the TWO traits to be dealt with in the
essay
2) Each body paragraph should begin
with a clearly stated topic sentence
Topic sentences
should state the characters name and the trait to be
dealt with in that paragraph.
Topic sentence for the second body should also
include a transitional
word or phrase joining the idea from the first body to the
second one.
Give AT LEAST ONE
example from the play which supports the
character trait you have chosen for that paragraph.
A quote for each body
paragraph is needed. The quote should support
the trait and what you in your own words wrote about the
trait.
Conclusive sentence
for each body should stick with the point made
only in that paragraph and summarize what was said in the paragraph.
3) Conclusive paragraph should begin
with a restatement of thesis, summary of
what was said in the body paragraphs and end with a
restatement of the general idea stated at the beginning of the
introduction.
4) Works Cited page. See Handout on Tagging Quotes & Works Cited
page.
**SEE EXAMPLE******SEE EXAMPLE*******SEE
EXAMPLE*****SEE EXAMPLE**
5) Use appropriate vocabulary
6) DO NOT USE slang, contractions or
TO BE verbs.
7) Use correct heading and TITLE your
essay creatively.
8) Type or compute the essay.
9) Use present tense, third person.
10) No cover is necessary.
11) This essay will be conferenced.
12) Essay is worth 100 points.
13) Revision is worth 100 points.
*****GOOD LUCK***GOOD LUCK***GOOD
LUCK*GOOD LUCK***GOOD LUCK****
LeLe Murphy
Mrs. McDonald
English 9-3
8 March 2005
The Traits of a Man
The
personality traits of males have changed very little throughout history. Many
have displayed strong, courageous and intelligent characteristics while others
have been weak, cowardly and emotional. In the play “Romeo and Juliet” by
William Shakespeare, many of the male character traits mentioned above can be
observed by the reader. Romeo Montague exemplifies many of these traits, both
positively and negatively. Throughout this romantic yet tragic tale, Romeo
presents himself to be both courageous yet immature.
Romeo’s
courageous behavior can be viewed quite a few times throughout the play. After
meeting Juliet at her father’s party, Romeo braves death and climbs the orchard
wall to visit Juliet and proclaim his love for her. Juliet warns him that if he
is caught by her kinsman, he will be killed, Romeo replies:
With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls,
For stony limits cannot hold love
out,
And what love can do, that dares love
attempt;
Therefore thy kinsman
are no stop to me.
(2.2.66-69)
Despite the threat of death,
Romeo is willing to sacrifice everything to be with his true love.
Besides his
bravery and courage, Romeo can also be observed as a very immature young man,
especially when dealing with matters of the heart. When the play opens, Romeo
is heart-sick over a fair maiden named Rosaline. He communicates little with
anyone and is secretive and lonely. However, while still in love with Rosaline,
he meets Juliet and falls madly in love with her at first sight. Even when he finds
out she is a Capulet, he lacks the foresight to know that this relationship
might cause trouble not only for the Montagues and
the Capulets but for the entire city. Even his
confessor and friend, Friar Lawrence is amazed:
Holy Saint Francis,
what a change is here!
Is Rosaline, that
thou didst love so dear,
So soon forsaken?
Young man’s love then lies
Not truly in their
hearts, but in their eyes.
(2.3.65-68)
Romeo, however, cares not. He uses his emotion rather than his
intellect, throws caution to the wind and does what his heart directs.
Romeo’s
character could definitely be described as both courageous as well as immature.
His bravery is made evident when he faces death in order to be with his one
true love. However, his immaturity can be seen in his determination to pursue
his relationship with Juliet without any thought for their future or the
feelings of other people. Times may change but men, though different, will
oftentimes portray the same type of personality traits.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. A
Midsummer Night’s Dream.
1998.