Expository Essay for The Crucible

Purpose for Writing: The purpose of writing is to make your reader understand The Crucible more, or

appreciate it better, because of your interpretation and analysis of the text. Directions for Writing: Choose one of the topics below to write a multi-paragraph essay based on The Crucible. In your introduction, universally reflect upon the significance of the topic before tying it in to events in The Crucible. Be sure your thesis statement is the last sentence of your introduction. In each body paragraph, use at least two quotes from the book. Finally, restate the thesis in the conclusion, reflect upon the significance of your thesis as it relates to events in The Crucible and to the audience. Be sure to end your essay with an analogy or figure of speech that brings your essay to a powerful close that appeals to a general audience.

Topic One: Discuss the role that grudges and personal rivalries play in the witch trial hysteria. Topic Two: Make some connections between the events of The Crucible and life today. Here is a poem by Emily Dickinson suggesting that witchcraft comes in many forms

Witchcraft was hung, in History, But History and I Find all the Witchcraft that we need Around us, every Day Emily Dickinson, #1583
Topic Three: How do the witch trials empower individuals who were previously powerless? Topic Four: Discuss how the theme(s) of The Crucible make it both universal and enduring. Topic Five: In The Crucible, Arthur Miller suggests that sacrifices may be necessary to restore the social order. Discuss the sacrifices made by the plays characters. Topic Six: In the play, many of the characters learn about themselves, as well as others. Discuss the insight gained by the characters of Elizabeth Proctor, Reverend Hale, and John Proctor. Topic Seven: Discuss the theme of pride in the play. Topic Eight: Suggest another option? (Get approval for this one)

Rubric Evaluation for The Crucible Essay

Introduction

Introduction contains a universal lead that hooks your audiences attention and reflects in depth
about the topic youve chosen to write about 0 1 2 3 provides an arguable and interesting claim statement.

Introduction narrows its reflective lead by smoothly transitioning into the topic for your essay, then
0 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 = =

The thesis statement strongly controls your essay, thoroughly guides the direction of each body
paragraph, and appears as the last sentence of the introduction
Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs contain strong statements (topic sentences) that are clearly based on the structure
of your thesis 0 1 2 3 4

Body paragraphs analyzes in depth at least nine directly cited examples that clearly support the
Conclusion

structure of your thesis and are analytically explained (not summarized) in several sentences or more. 0 1 2 3 4 =

Conclusion clearly restates the thesis by using different words and appears as the first sentence
0 1 2 3

Reflects upon the dominant themes and issues

Provides a strong final statement that uses a figure of speech to grab the audiences attention
0 1 2 3
Throughout the Essay

addressed in the introduction and the body paragraphs, focusing on The Crucible first, then making a universal connection 0 1 2 3 4 = 4 =

Written in MLA format (including correct header) and contains appropriate internal citations
0 1 2 3

Contains

paragraphs of at least eight sentences or more whereby the writer varies the paragraph structure by providing in-depth, analytical, and motivated writing 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 =

Transitions and attribution smoothly connects sentences, direct citations, and or paragraphs
0 0 1 1 2 2 3 3

4 4

= =

Relatively free of pointers, spelling, grammatical, and mechanical errors

Add Scores and Total =

Final Draft. Now that youve received your rubric score, revise your draft according

to the rubric. After that revision, write your final draft and gloss the changes by highlighting them in each paragraph.