Posts by shuynh93

shuynh93

Jun 6, 2009

Book Reports / Macbeth Thesis - help with choosing the right quote [8]

My English Final (June 9) is gonna be about Macbeth;

5 paragraph Quotation Explication choosing 1 of the 4 quotes my teacher provided

instructions:
"Quotation Explication asks you to analyze a specific passage from the text, situate it in the context of the entire plot, and then come up with an argument for what Shakespeare intended to express in this passage in order to comment on the themes of the story. Your evidence for the essay for your essay will ONLY come from the passage that you choose to write about."

We hardly practice explicating quotes in class, let alone essays, so I have very little understanding of this type of essay.

I need help choosing the right quote and explicating it, finding a compelling thesis, and knowing what topic I should have in each body paragraph.

teachers instructions for 'explicating the quote'
a. underline all important words (evidence)
b. brainstorm ideas/impressions derived from those words
c. locate speakers, purpose, occasion, and tone
d. write a short interpretation of the quote

shuynh93

Jun 7, 2009

Book Reports / Macbeth Thesis - help with choosing the right quote [8]

Lets say I wanted to write my essay about Macbeth's greed for power.
I originally chose the first quote (ACT II, scene 1) because it was the easiest to understand (which isn't entirely a good reason).

My thesis was:
Shakespeare's Macbeth suggests greed can be the motivation to success, yet the fault that brings ones downfall as well.

My teacher's (woman) commented:
"So how does Macbeth react in the passage that demonstrates these two sides?"
Essentially, I need to elaborate more and go even more in-depth.
Only I don't know how.

How would I integrate the quote as my evidence/support??
Do I put bits of it into each body paragraph?