English 9B: Unit 2 Writing Workshop: Persuasive Essay

Assignment: Create a multi-paragraph persuasive essay that responds to the topic below:

Who is most responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet? Choose the one person from the list below who you think is most responsible; do NOT simply argue that many people are equally responsible. You may believe that multiple characters played a role, but your assignment is to choose the one person you think is most responsible and support that opinion with evidence.

You MUST select ONE of the following characters:
-Lord Capulet (Juliet’s dad)
-Romeo
-Friar Lawrence
-the Nurse
-Juliet

**We will not be using 6Trait Power Write for this assignment.

Requirements:
• The introduction paragraph should make a claim/have a clear thesis as the final sentence that clearly states who is most responsible AND why. Click HERE to watch a video that will help you write your thesis statement.
• Multiple body paragraphs: Each paragraph states a specific reason in support of your thesis AND includes textual evidence from the play to support your ideas.
o In-text citation example: This is demonstrated when Romeo says, “This is an outrage” (3.2).
 Citations appear after the quote or paraphrase.
 For plays, in text citations include numbers to show Act first and Scene second. Do not include page numbers.
 Ending sentence punctuation appears after the citation and outside parenthesis.
 Since you are only citing from one source (Romeo & Juliet) in your entire essay, the author’s last name is not needed for citations.
• The entire essay should have clear transitions from one paragraph to the next. Each paragraph should be on its own topic, but it must also help you prove or support your thesis.
• Conclusion paragraph should restate your main points.