Assignment
Topic: For this assignment you will dig into the theme or themes of the drama we have been discussing in class. To develop this essay, you need to look at what the themes are in the play of your choice, develop an argument that supports that theme or message, and use research to defend your position. Once again you need to begin with an intro that includes a thesis focused on the theme or themes you are arguing for. Then you need to over the plot by summarizing the play, assuming your reader has not yet read the play. Then you can use the other elements in the play to help you develop your own argument of what the theme or themes of the play are. As part of your argument, evaluate how well this playwright presented this theme. Use research to help you support your essay throughout the essay. Please note, if you want to do one of the plays we have watched in class, I recommend you find a copy of the video to re-watch. Don't rely on your memory to write this paper.
o Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into the Woods
o Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd
Requirements: A well-written essay will provide an introduction that clearly introduces the play and its themes, and provides a thesis that clearly identifies that theme. You will then provide your one paragraph summary of the play. After this summary paragraph, focus on presenting the theme using your research as support and examples of the story to illustrate these elements. You will most likely have to do an in depth examination of some of the other elements in the play to get to the theme as well. At the end, conclude by looking at how well the playwright develop his or her theme throughout the essay.
Research Needs: You need to find at least three critical sources about the play you are examining to hel you develop this essay. These sources should be used to support your argument but they can also present ideas about the theme that you wish to refute as well. All source should be properly cited in-text and on a Works Cited page using the new 2016 MLA formatting rules.
Formatting: Your paper should be 3-4 pages (1,000 words) in length when typed in Times New Roman font, with double-spaced lines, and proper one inch margins as required in MLA format. It should follow correct conventions of punctuation and grammar as well as correct conventions of Standard Written English and citation formatting. Also, when discussing the writing and presentation of others, you always refer to them in the present tense (known as the literary present): the writer says rather than the writer said. This is required by academic writing. Your essay must also be in the third person only.