This document provides instructions for an essay assignment asking students to argue whether Edmond Dantes is justified in his revenge in The Count of Monte Cristo. Students are to write a thesis statement, gather evidence to support 3 main arguments in an outline, and then write a full essay. The essay should include an introduction with the thesis and overview of arguments, 3 body paragraphs with topic sentences and evidence supporting each argument, and a conclusion summarizing the arguments. The document provides a grading rubric assessing the introduction, each body paragraph, conclusion, and overall structure.

1. TheCountofMonteCristo Essay
Assignment: Write an essay that responds to the following question: is Edmond
Dantes justified in his revenge?
Objective: Students will write create their own structure, thesis, and essay to
improve writing skills and prepare for High School.
Standards:
Maryland Core Knowledge Standards: Writing and Research
Common Core Standards: W.8.1 - (see also WHST.6-8.1) Write arguments tosupport claims with clear reasons and relevant
ev idence.
a. Introduce claim(s),acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims,and organize the reasons and
ev idencelogically.
b. Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence,using accurate,crediblesources and demonstrating an understanding
of the topic or text.
c. Use words, phrases, and clauses tocreate cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
d. Establish and maintain a formalstyle.
e. Prov ide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
Instructions; To do well on this assignment, follow these guidelines:
Step One: Create a thesis statement:
Step Two: Take the time to gather evidence that will support your essay.
Step Three: Create an outline for an essay that uses 3 main arguments. You will have to turn in
this outline to me for a homework assignment. I will give you a due date later.
Step Four: Write your essay. Your essay should have the following.
1) A Thesis Statement.
2) An Introduction that briefly introduces all of your main ideas.
3) Topic Sentences for all of your paragraphs/ 3 main arguments.
4) A Closing Paragraph that Summarizes your 3 main ideas. Includes a strong closing sentence.
Grading Rubric:
_________ (5 Points) Introduction: There is a strong thesis statement (2 points)andthe student hasincluded an introductorysentence for all 3
mainideas/bodyparagraphs (3 points).
_________ (5 Points) 1st Body Paragraph: There is a topic sentence that explains the mainidea/topic of the paragraph (1 point). Paragraph uses
strong supporting details that are logical andclear (2 points) andusesexcellent evidence from the text (2 points).
_________ (5 Points) 2nd Body Paragraph: There is a topic sentence that explains the mainidea/topic ofthe paragraph(1 point). Paragraphuses
strong supporting details that are logical andclear (2 points) andusesexcellent evidence from the text (2 points).
_________ (5 Points) 3rd Body Paragraph: There is a topic sentence that explains the mainidea/topic of the paragraph (1 point). Paragraphuses
strong supporting details that are logical andclear (2 points) andusesexcellent evidence from the text (2 points).
_________ (5 Points) Conclusion: The student has writtena summaryof each ofher 3 main arguments (3 points). There is a strongending
sentence that wraps up the entire paper (2 points…. I will discussinclass before assignment is due).
_________(5 points)Structure: You have anIntroduction, 3 BodyParagraphs, anda Conclusion(2 point). Each bodyparagraph’s main
idea/argument is supportive of the thesisstatement.