Shakespeare uses dramatic techniques like metaphor, rhyme, and iambic pentameter to maintain audience interest in Romeo and Juliet and develop the theme of fate. Students are asked to write a 500-800 word essay analyzing how Shakespeare accomplished this, making references to specific examples from the play. The essay should be broken into paragraphs, each with a point, example, and explanation. Students have three class periods to plan, draft, edit, and produce a final copy of the response.

1. Shakespeare Study, DECEMBER 2011: Mr Waugh’s Year 9 Class
Shakespeare Study
How did William Shakespeare maintain the audience’s interest
and develop the idea of fate in his tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet
Your answer should be 500-800 words in length and make extensive reference
in the form of examples from the play itself
It may also:
 Identify specific use of language (e.g. metaphor, rhyme, iambic pentameter) for
particular effects in the play
 Demonstrate understanding the use of dramatic devices in the play
 Explain how these and the development of the characters and events add to
the audience’s interest
 Explore the theme of fate in the play and the methods Shakespeare uses to de-
velop this
 Indicate evidence in the play of its historical context
Each point should be made in a separate paragraph, each clearly organised with a
POINT, EXAMPLE and EXPLANATION.
You have three periods to complete this assessment, with the weekend and over-
night breaks between these. The first session should be used for planning and
drafting your response, and the second for editing and the last for producing a fi-
nal copy.
During the assessment you will have full access to the text of the play as well as
your school book.
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