The Concept of Romanticism

Required Topic

 You should focus on the characteristics of Romanticism discussed in the Romanticism lecture of this

course.

 Choose 3 of the characteristics of Romanticism as the basis of your essay (each characteristic will be

a main point).

 Be sure to explain each of the characteristics briefly, and use some of the poetry we studied as

illustrations (examples of the characteristics).

 If you are unclear about a topic choice, email me your question(s) and your proposed 3-point thesis

statement at least 3 days before the essay is due.

2. Required Organization and Development

 Your essay should contain 5 paragraphs:

 Introduction

 Body Paragraph 1

 Body Paragraph 2

 Body Paragraph 3

 Conclusion

 Your essay must be developed according to this recipe:

 Paragraph #1

o Introduce your topic with no more than 2 sentences.

o Specify in sentence 2 (a 3-point thesis) the three main ideas which you will address in your

essay (see following samples).

 Paragraph #2

o Begin this paragraph with a topic sentence about the first main idea. It should focus on the

first idea stated in your 3-point thesis.

o Develop this topic sentence with 3 to 5 sentences of support using examples from required

reading assignments.

 Paragraph #3

o Begin this paragraph with a topic sentence about the second main idea. It should focus on the

second idea stated in your 3-point thesis.

o Develop this topic sentence with 3 to 5 sentences of support using examples from required

reading assignments.

 Paragraph #4

o Begin this paragraph with a topic sentence about the third main idea. It should focus on the

third idea stated in your 3-point thesis.

o Develop this topic sentence with 3 to 5 sentences of support using examples from required

reading assignments.

 Paragraph #5

o Limit paragraph five to no more than two sentences.

o The first sentence should summarize your essay.

o Do not mention any new information.

 Your essay length:

 Include no more than a total of 300-500 words.