Essay 1

The essay is to be written in-class only, no exceptions. Arrive at class a few minutes early and log in to the course through EduCat. The assignment, with prompts, will be available at precisely 10am. You must arrive no later than 10am. Students arriving late will not be permitted to write the essay, no exceptions. You will have until 11:40 to complete it.

You are permitted to use the prescribed course text book and your class notes. No other aids or devices are permitted, including earphones. Cell phones must be silenced and stowed.

1. General Instructions

Your essay should begin with a clear statement of your thesis. This thesis should be an opinion, something requiring an argument. If the thesis is merely factual, it is not a thesis.
Build your essay’s argument around evidence from the texts. This evidence should include citation of specific passages. There is no need to copy out the passage to which you are referring. Instead, simply indicate the act, scene, and line numbers. For example, if you wish to cite lines 23-25 from Act 3, Scene 2 of Richard II, simply write “3.2.23-35”. There is no need to write “Shakespeare” or “Richard II” or the words “Act,” “Scene,” and “Lines.”
Do not fill your essay with numerous citations. It is better to cite a pertinent few, judiciously selected, and to analyze each in some detail as it pertains to the argument.

Essay 2

1. General Instructions

2. Prompts