Modern Connections to Romeo and Juliet

Rough draft due date ______Final draft due date ______

For this assignment you will need to think about Romeo and Juliet and find modern day connections (or comparisons) to major themes in the play. You will then use these connections to craft a five paragraph essay consisting of introduction, three body paragraphs (one for each connection!), and a conclusion. You may only use each modern day example ONCE. In other words, you will have three different modern day examples connecting to three different main ideas. Note that you should also use transitions and pay attention to the style and tone of your essay. We will discuss this more as the deadline nears. This essay will be worth 70 points.

Choose your three main ideas from this list: (other ideas MUST have my approval in advance!!)

  • Feud
  • Infatuation
  • Loyalty
  • Revenge
  • Deception
  • Grief

Each body paragraph should answer the following questions:

  1. Where did you find your modern example? Name your source!
  2. Explain how your example illustrates the main idea.
  3. How is the main idea in your example similar to Romeo and Juliet?
  4. How is the main idea in your example different from Romeo and Juliet?

Details –

  • Your final draft should be FREE of any errors!!
  • Length – 1 ½ to 3 pages
  • PLEASE DOUBLE SPACE!!
  • 12 point font (any font as long as I can read it!!) with normal margins

Use this table to organize your ideas if you want:

Connection #1 / Connection #2 / Connection #3

Here is an example body paragraph. This example references the movie West Side Story. Please note that you may NOT use this movie now!

This example of a feud comes from the 1961 film version of West Side Story, directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, starring Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer. This film illustrates the idea of feud through the characters and plot. The story is based around two New York City gangs, the Sharks and the Jets. These two groups fight over territory within the city. They hate each other based mainly on race; the Jets are Caucasian and the Sharks are Puerto Rican. The feud in West Side Story is similar to the feud in Romeo and Juliet because they have both been going on for many years. Also, the groups feuding in both stories have fights, or “rumbles” in public areas of the city, which are often interrupted by authority figures. The feud in West Side Story is different from the one in Romeo and Juliet in that it takes place between two gangs of men, instead of two families. The origin of the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets is unclear in Romeo and Juliet, while in West Side Story, racial tension between the two gangs makes it evident to the audience why their feud exists.

RUBRIC - Modern Connections to Romeo and Juliet

Requirement / Due Date / Points / Comments
ROUGH DRAFT
Hand in a first draft of your essay to your teacher for feedback
Your rough draft:
  • Is ON TIME
  • Contains 3 themes with 3 modern connections
  • Addresses the 4 main questions in EACH body paragraph
  • Includes an introduction and conclusion
/ of 12
FINAL DRAFT
  • Introduction
Captures the reader’s attention
Introduces the topic / of 6
  • Body Paragraph 1 –
  • Where did you find your modern example?
  • How does your example illustrate the main idea?
  • How is it similar to R & J?
  • How is it different from R& J?
/ of 12
  • Body Paragraph 2
  • Where did you find your modern example?
  • How does your example illustrate the main idea?
  • How is it similar to R & J?
  • How is it different from R& J?
/ of 12
  • Body Paragraph 3
  • Where did you find your modern example?
  • How does your example illustrate the main idea?
  • How is it similar to R & J?
  • How is it different from R& J?
/ of 12
  • Conclusion
Restates the topic
Signals that the essay is complete / of 6
  • Mechanics -
Your essay:
Is free of errors in grammar
Is free of errors in spelling
Is free of errors in punctuation
Is organized and structured
Contains transitions / of 10
TOTAL / of 70