you could begin your response with There are many reasons why the tragedy occurred in Romeo and Juliet...

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1 Tips on writing a good essay 1. At the start make yourself some brief notes next to the question. 2. Write yourself a brief essay plan. Consider the following: 1. What will the topic of each paragraph be? What are my three arguments? As these are then the three topics of the three paragraphs. (you can have more than three arguments and three paragraphs, just do the same for more) 2. What supporting evidence or information will you provide for each major point you make? 3. What is the most logical order in which to make your points so they develop and support your argument? How to write an introduction Try to use the wording of the question in your first sentence. For example, if you were given the question: The tragedy in Romeo and Juliet occurs because the lovers disobey authority. Discuss you could begin your response with There are many reasons why the tragedy occurred in Romeo and Juliet... (then, you might pick these 3 arguments...) 1. One reason is that Romeo and Juliet disobeyed authority The restrictions and intolerance of Juliet s parents is unfair and it could be seen as the reason why the tragedy occurs 3. It is the lover s youth and impetuous (look up this word, a good one for your vocabulary) behaviour that leads to... Use clear transition or connecting words to help organise your ideas and to make it easier for your teacher to follow your arguments. For example: Firstly, Secondly, In contrast to, In addition, As a result, etc. an example, following the above opening sentence There are many reasons why the tragedy occurred in Romeo and Juliet. The influence of the Nurse and Friar Lawrence has an influence on the young lovers actions. Secondly, the restrictions and intolerance of Juliet s parents is unfair and it could be seen as the reason why the tragedy occurs. Finally, it is the lover s youth and impetuous (look up this word, a good one for your vocabulary) behaviour that leads to the tragic events of Romeo and Juliet. Sum up the question again in your closing sentence Therefore the restrictions placed on Romeo and Juliet by their parents and the influences and advice given to them by the Nurse and Friar Lawrence to disobey authority figures in their lives does not change the tragic events that are a result of the lover s youth and impetuous behaviour.

2 The body of your essay Yes, as you know... Topic Sentence Evidence Explanation Linking and closing sentence So, if you had just written the this introduction - this is how it would work... Paragraph 1. TOPIC SENTENCE Based on the first argument I had written in my introduction: The influence of the Nurse and Friar Lawrence has an influence on the young lovers actions to disobey authority however, if I just put that as my topic sentence, it would not be complete, as it does not refer back to the question... which means, I am not answering the question. So, I need to think back to the key words of the question: The tragedy in Romeo and Juliet occurs because the lovers disobey authority - tragedy and disobey authority are the key words So, I could write this as my topic sentence of Paragraph 1. same argument as my first point in my introduction. This becomes my first topic sentence Key word from question (defiance of authority)!!! tragedy The influence of the Nurse and Friar Lawrence has an influence on the young lovers actions, leading them to disobey authority with tragic consequences taking place. Evidence a quote or reference to an event that supports this argument you are making in this paragraph Explanation what this means in relation to the question in this example, how does this action or event make the lovers disobey authority!!!!!!!!

3 closing sentence!!! you sum up that paragraph, the argument you have said - remember the question again. linking - where you put in a linking word or sentence, which introduces the next paragraph. So, if I was going to link my Paragraph 1, with Paragraph 2 ( I can look back at my introduction, so i know already what my main argument will be in that paragraph) my argument in Paragraph 1: The influence of the Nurse and Friar Lawrence has an influence on the young lovers actions leading them to disobey authority with tragic events taking place... and my argument in Paragraph 2 will be... the restrictions and intolerance of Juliet s parents is unfair and it could be seen as the reason why the tragedy occurs also making them disobey authority So these two can easily be linked - by having a closing sentence of: Whilst Romeo and Juliet listen to the advice and counsel given to them by Friar Lawrence and the Nurse, it can also been seen that it the restrictions and intolerance of Juliet s parents that leads to the tragedy occurring in Romeo and Juliet.!!!!!!!!! what the next paragraph!!!!!!!!!! will be about!!!!! (also) an easy linking word making reference to the question and key words (tragedy) and then, I can go into Paragraph 2 Paragraph 2 What will the topic sentence be? (read the introduction, remember, link back to question) What will the closing sentence be?

4 Paragraph 3 What will the topic sentence be? (read the introduction, remember, link back to question) What will the closing sentence be? Conclusion This is where you sum up your three arguments (main points or paragraphs) and what your argument is about the question. So in this case, whether it is because the lover s disobey authority that the tragedy occurs in Romeo and Juliet Overall, remember to ask yourself, are you answering the question you have been asked? You can not introduce a new idea in the conclusion. (very quick example) Write your own Therefore the restrictions placed on Romeo and Juliet by their parents and the influences and advice given to them by the Nurse and Friar Lawrence to disobey authority figures in their lives does not change the tragic events that are a result of the lover s youth and impetuous behaviour.

5 Authority Authority is illustrated and explored in Romeo and Juliet. In Shakespeare s time, authority was very closely linked in people s minds to the natural order of the world and to the will of God. For example, the authority of the king or queen was believed to be given to them by God. Therefore, anyone who went against the authority of the king or queen would be considered to be committing a crime or sin against the wishes of God. People who went against authority were seen as going against the natural order and many people believed that this could only end in disaster. Romeo and Juliet defy authority by: defying his parents and defying the Capulets by entering the orchard. The marriage and the wedding night were held in secret the consummation of the wedding vows occurs in secret in Juliet s bedroom while her parents are arranging her marriage, unaware of her actions. This is a huge betrayal of their trust. When Juliet fakes her own death to be with her lover It is not surprising that this secret relationship ends in tragedy. The lovers have deceived and betrayed their parents to be together, and this eventually means that their parents are powerless to help them. There are many other words related to the word authority. For example: authoritarian, authorise, authoritative. Look up each of these words and find out what form of word that they are, e.g., noun, adjective, adverb. 1. Write a brief definition for each of the words including the word authority. 1. Find and write down three examples from the play where one person or group has authority over another group. 2. Describe three situations in the play when a person or group disobeys authority. What is the end result of each situation? Which of these examples of disobedience are the more serious ones in your opinion? 3. Are there any situations in Romeo and Juliet where people in authority do not do their jobs properly? For example, do the people in authority always carry out their jobs as carefully and as well as they should? 4. What message or idea do you think Shakespeare might have wanted to say in Romeo and Juliet about the nature of authority and about obeying authority? Deceit Both lovers deceive their parents by getting married and not telling them about it before or after the event. It is only Romeo s suicide letter that tells the parents what their children have done. It could be said that as the feuding parties achieve peace at the end of the play, the lovers should have told their parents of their actions as they may have achieved some resolution. There are other people involved in the deceit begun by the two lovers.

6 Friar Lawrence - the fact that Friar runs away at the end reveals that he is afraid that his deception is about to be revealed. The Nurse - Juliet believes that the Nurse is loyal to her. The Nurse changes her loyalties when the Capulet s threaten to disown Juliet. Perhaps fearing for her own job, and believing the situation is hopeless, she advises Juliet to marry Paris. Juliet is shocked by the Nurse s betrayal of her husband and her marriage. Q. Find two quotes for both the Nurse and Friar Lawrence about their role in the tragedy that took place. Haste and urgency