Othello vs. IagoOthello vs. Iago

Contrast the characters of Contrast the characters of Othello and Iago in Acts I and Othello and Iago in Acts I and

IIII

Step OneStep One

Make a list of character traits for Make a list of character traits for each character. Divide your paper each character. Divide your paper in half, and write as many words, in half, and write as many words, adjectives, and phrases that you can, adjectives, and phrases that you can, using your study guides and your using your study guides and your brilliant mind for reference.brilliant mind for reference.

Step 1 ½: Review Step 1 ½: Review Remind me how the 8 sentence, 2 Remind me how the 8 sentence, 2

chunk paragraph works!chunk paragraph works!You should have redefined TS, CD, CM, You should have redefined TS, CD, CM,

CS; clarified what a chunk is; told me CS; clarified what a chunk is; told me the helpers and transitional phrases; the helpers and transitional phrases; explained WHY we do it this way.explained WHY we do it this way.

For the For the Othello Othello Essay, we are going to Essay, we are going to do a prewriting paragraph to do a prewriting paragraph to a.a. remind us how to put these skills into remind us how to put these skills into practice practice bb. experience how a timed . experience how a timed writing feels. writing feels.

Prompt for Othello ParagraphPrompt for Othello Paragraph Pick one of Othello’s or Iago’s best qualities Pick one of Othello’s or Iago’s best qualities and and

prove how he reveals this quality in Acts I and II. prove how he reveals this quality in Acts I and II. Your commentary/analysis will be an in-depth Your commentary/analysis will be an in-depth

characterization of him based on the trait you will characterization of him based on the trait you will reveal in your TS. reveal in your TS.

You’ll pick two quotes that best support that trait.You’ll pick two quotes that best support that trait. Basically, show me how Othello or Iago is the Basically, show me how Othello or Iago is the

paragon of the trait you choose.paragon of the trait you choose. You may use your book, your study guides, and You may use your book, your study guides, and

any other notes you may have taken.any other notes you may have taken. Parenthetical doc. for plays: “quote” (I iv 25-27).Parenthetical doc. for plays: “quote” (I iv 25-27).

Step TwoStep Two

Look at the character traits for both Look at the character traits for both people, and pair up the opposite people, and pair up the opposite ones.ones.

Ex: honest vs. dishonestEx: honest vs. dishonestHonorable vs. traitorousHonorable vs. traitorous

NOW, do the handout that requires you NOW, do the handout that requires you to do a CD hunt for your to do a CD hunt for your

best three best three pairs of traits.pairs of traits.

Step ThreeStep Three Pick your two best contrasting pairs. These Pick your two best contrasting pairs. These

should be the ones you have the best support should be the ones you have the best support (quotes) for. The quotes should not be too (quotes) for. The quotes should not be too similar to each other, or else your CMs will similar to each other, or else your CMs will sound redundant and not very deep.sound redundant and not very deep.

Now create a word/phrase that encompasses Now create a word/phrase that encompasses each seteach set of contrasting traits and create your of contrasting traits and create your initial thesis statement. initial thesis statement. For example:For example: honest v. deceitful = integrityhonest v. deceitful = integrity trustworthy v. inconsistent/unreliable = trustworthy v. inconsistent/unreliable = trustworthinesstrustworthiness noble v. nefarious = sense of honor/moral codenoble v. nefarious = sense of honor/moral code

(Initial) Thesis Statements(Initial) Thesis Statements

This sentence will ultimately be This sentence will ultimately be the last sentence of your intro the last sentence of your intro paragraphparagraph

For the outline, it will be what you For the outline, it will be what you write next to Roman Numeral I.write next to Roman Numeral I.

It should include: author, the acts, It should include: author, the acts, the 2 men’s names, and the 2 sets the 2 men’s names, and the 2 sets of traits.of traits.

Sample Thesis StatementsSample Thesis Statements In the first two acts of Shakespeare’s In the first two acts of Shakespeare’s

OthelloOthello, Othello and Iago contrast in their , Othello and Iago contrast in their treatment of others as well as in their treatment of others as well as in their integrity.integrity.

In Acts I and II of In Acts I and II of OthelloOthello, Shakespeare , Shakespeare contrasts Othello and Iago in terms of their contrasts Othello and Iago in terms of their trustworthiness and loyalty.trustworthiness and loyalty.

……differ vastly in their approaches to differ vastly in their approaches to honesty and in their intentions behind the honesty and in their intentions behind the relationships they form.relationships they form.

Step FourStep Four

Create the outline that will show me Create the outline that will show me the overall structure of your essay. It the overall structure of your essay. It must include a thesis, topic must include a thesis, topic sentences for each of the two body sentences for each of the two body paragraphs, all transitional paragraphs, all transitional sentences, and CDs that have lead-sentences, and CDs that have lead-ins, direct quotes, and correct ins, direct quotes, and correct parenthetical citations.parenthetical citations.

See handout for overall structure. See handout for overall structure.

Step FiveStep Five: Intros and Conclusions: Intros and ConclusionsIntro Paragraph:Intro Paragraph:

Should be 5 -6 sentences longShould be 5 -6 sentences long Imitate the upside-down triangle: general to specific, where the Imitate the upside-down triangle: general to specific, where the

last sentence is your thesis:last sentence is your thesis:

more general:more general:

More specific More specific

thesisthesis

Intro Paragraph, continuedIntro Paragraph, continued Include author and title of play in intro, Include author and title of play in intro,

but they don’t have to be in the thesis but they don’t have to be in the thesis statementstatement

Perhaps have a hook/metaphor that you Perhaps have a hook/metaphor that you can take full circle in the closing can take full circle in the closing paragraph, but remember:paragraph, but remember:

-no crazy extended irrelevant metaphors-no crazy extended irrelevant metaphors

-no clichés, rhetorical questions, quoting-no clichés, rhetorical questions, quoting the dictionary, dawn of time introsthe dictionary, dawn of time intros

More intro stuffMore intro stuff

Introduce (briefly) events/the situation Introduce (briefly) events/the situation of your storyof your story

For example,For example, Why is Iago mad?Why is Iago mad? What is the relationship btwn Iago and What is the relationship btwn Iago and

Othello?Othello? Who are these people and what’s the Who are these people and what’s the

conflict?conflict?

Now, let’s look at some samples…Now, let’s look at some samples…

ConclusionsConclusions In the first sentence only, re-present ideas from In the first sentence only, re-present ideas from

the essay/thesis, BUT don’t restate word for wordthe essay/thesis, BUT don’t restate word for word Also, don’t make every sentence after that a Also, don’t make every sentence after that a

subtopic from the paper you just wrote; this is subtopic from the paper you just wrote; this is redundant and unsophisticated writingredundant and unsophisticated writing

Follow logically from previous paragraphs; for Follow logically from previous paragraphs; for example, if you started with an idea or example, if you started with an idea or metaphor, readdress that (full circle)metaphor, readdress that (full circle)

Don’t bring up brand new ideas or predict Don’t bring up brand new ideas or predict exactly what’s going to happen next, but draw exactly what’s going to happen next, but draw conclusions for the characters based on what conclusions for the characters based on what you’ve already written.you’ve already written.

Have about 4-5 sentencesHave about 4-5 sentences

Now, let’s look at some Now, let’s look at some samples,samples,and remember that the front and remember that the front side of the handout you’re side of the handout you’re about to get has the flawed about to get has the flawed paragraphs, but the back has paragraphs, but the back has the good models. the good models.

This essay is due…This essay is due…

Friday! Friday! Please attach your turnitin.com Please attach your turnitin.com

receipt and all your prewriting. This receipt and all your prewriting. This includes the grasshopper stamped includes the grasshopper stamped paper and the outline. If there is no paper and the outline. If there is no receipt, you will lose 5% off your receipt, you will lose 5% off your grade. grade.

It’ll be graded by the day of your It’ll be graded by the day of your final…for real.final…for real.