Monday

Today we are going to continue with the Macbeth essay. 

 You need to write an analytical essay on some motif in Macbeth. You will need to choose a motif - such as birds - and connect it to a major theme (this should be your thesis) and then discuss how this motif in developed in the play. You will need evidence from the text. Please send me your thesis statements as you get them written so I can check them and let you know if they work.

Unit Learning goal: At the end of this Unit students will be able to analysis a motif found in Macbeth, create a thesis, and connect the motif to the meaning of the play as a whole by writing a short 2-3 page essay.

Scale/Rubric relating to learning goal:
4 – The student is able to combine more than one motif into a thesis statement, and answer it by evaluating the text and using specifics to back up his/her position.
3 – The student can choose a motif, develop it into a thesis statement, and analyze the text using specific evidence to back up their position.
2 – With some direction/help from the teacher the student can choose a motif, develop it into a thesis statement, and analyze the text using specific evidence to back up their position.
1 – Even with help from the teacher the student is unable to choose a motif, or develop it into a thesis statement, and analyze the text using specific evidence to back up their position.

MOTIF and THEMES IN Macbeth 

• Motifs

--washing of hands 

 --blood
--planting of seeds, things growing
--the atmosphere of Macbeth’s castle
--spells or chants and supernatural beings
--weather 

 --daggers
--spirits, scorpions, snakes and things in the mind
--birds and flying:

• THEMES:

--Blind Ambition
--The Corruption of Power
--Appearance vs. Reality
--Superstition and how it affects human behavior
--Good vs. Evil

 

Analysis Rubric:

FOCUS (Claims, set-up)	Hook, Thesis Statement, Order of development connects to an n overarching idea of the novel.  Thesis is manageable.  Hook and thesis are connected by idea.   Hook is witty or insightful.	Hook, Thesis Statement are present in the first paragraph Hook and thesis are connected by idea.  Order of development is present.	There is a thesis statement but either it is not clear, or the order of development and/or hook is missing.	No thesis statement
Examples and Analysis	At least five pieces of evidence from novel.  Evidence is either direct quotation or paraphrases with page # citation.  Commentary explains relationship between evidence and thesis.	4-5 pieces of evidence.  Evidence is either direct quotations or paraphrases with page # citation.  Provides commentary on evidence; however commentary.  Relationship between evidence and thesis may not be thoroughly developed.	3-4 pieces of evidence.  Evidence maybe mere summary w/o connection to the thesis.  Or there are vague references to the text.  References could be vaguely relevant to thesis.  Little or no commentary (analysis).	No Analysis or examples or examples are unclear.  Repeats information already provide or simply restates the thesis as evidence.
Sophistication of Writing	Point of view is evident.  Clear sense of audience.  Ideas are original.  Work is engaging.  Precise, fresh and original words. Sentence variety.  Effective use of rhetorical devices such as parallelism or figurative language.	A sense of audience.  Conveys ideas to reader.  Use of rhetorical devices.  Engaging vocabulary.	Paper lacks energy.  Essay lacks focus and/or doesn’t persuade.  Language relies on repetition of the same words or there is an overuse of “to be” verbs.	Voice is not apparent, or doesn’t necessary seem that of the author.
Mechanics	One to three small mistakes	Three to five small mistakes that do not affect the reading of the essay	Five to ten mistakes	Numerous mistakes that impair reading