Julius Caesar Essay
Directions:
Choose ONE of the prompts below and craft a well-developed response
consisting of four (4) paragraphs (short intro, two body paragraphs, and short conclusion).
You MUST use 3-5 pieces of evidence from the play to support your claim.
Review How to Cite Shakespeare to help you properly cite the play.
Include:
A very brief introduction that moves from broad to narrow ideas and contains a precise thesis (either open or closed).
Your introduction should include the title, author, and genre.
Body paragraphs that each develop one distinct point that supports the thesis and that utilize 3-5 pieces of textual evidence and analysis to support the point.
A brief conclusion that broadens the thesis to connect to more universal or global ideas.
Use 3rd person, present tense.
Correct MLA formatting.
Avoid mere plot summary.
Essay should be about 2 pages and not exceed 3 pages.
The prompts are as follows:
Persuasive Analysis:
Consider the power of persuasive appeals and rhetoric in Julius Caesar. Analyze how
a character uses rhetoric (emotion, logic, and/or ethics) to manipulate the thoughts or actions of another character in the play.
Options:(Choose only one to analyze)
How does Cassius effectively persuade to join the conspiracy?
How does Portia effectively persuade Brutus to confide in her?
How does Antony effectively persuade the plebeians to rise to mutiny?
Body Paragraph Organization Suggestions (Present your evidence in chronological
order.) :
Option 1:
Two paragraphs analyzing the use of appeals/devices in chronological order
Option 2:
Each paragraph (two total) analyzing a appeal or rhetorical device that was used (use evidence in chronological order within each paragraph)
Option 3:
Each paragraph (two total) about a main point/argument made in the speech. In your analysis you will still need to use language specific to the appeals/devices, but this could allow you to talk about multiple appeals being used together.
*Your conclusion should show a bigger impact of speech – how did it impact the rest of the play?
*Reminder: Do NOT use the words “ethos”, “pathos”, and “logos” in your essay!
