Tutor profile: Leann C.

In writing a persuasive essay, what are the key elements of a well-written thesis?

A well-written thesis statement should be a one to two sentence statement that is narrow enough to be developed thoroughly in the essay but not so narrow that you cannot think of at least 3 key arguments that support your thesis. A thesis should be a clear, relevant, and interesting position on a topic that provides some basis for an argument. It should be based on opinion but be something you can thoroughly support with evidence--facts, examples, statistics, etc.

In the play Macbeth, what drives Macbeth to madness? Please provide a well-written answer using support through evidence from the play in your explanation.

In the play Macbeth, Macbeth succumbs to insanity due to a few key factors. The primary factor is his guilt over his unscrupulous actions--killing King Duncan and Banquo. A piece of evidence to support this idea is that after Macbeth has had King Duncan murdered, he sees blood on his own hands, even though this blood is only in his mind. Later in the play, he has Banquo murdered because he is afraid Banquo is on to his murderous deed. The internal pressure of his guilt manifests into the ghost of Banquo, haunting him. At one point in the play when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are hosting a banquet, Macbeth loses control and speaks out against the ghost. No one else can see his phantom. Lady Macbeth is appalled and says to the guests, "The fit is momentary; upon a thought/He will again be well. If much you note him,/You shall offend him and extend his passion./Feed and regard him not." The fits she is speaking of in this line become more frequent as the play continues. Ultimately, Macbeth's guilt about going against what he knows to be right and the internal pressure of this guilt result in his insanity.

In the short story "Story of an Hour" which of the following words does NOT describe Louise Mallard’s feelings about her husband’s death during the course of the story? A. conflicted B. excited C. sentimental D. vengeful E. emancipated

Letter D is the best choice because Louise never thinks “vengeful” thoughts. She never expresses a desire for revenge for her husband’s death. She does demonstrate *conflicted* emotions when she says, “And yet she had loved him—sometimes. Often she had not. “ She also expresses *excitement* over the prospect of a new life without someone “bending” her will to theirs when she states, “Her fancy was running idiot along those days ahead of her. Spring days, and summer days, and all sorts of days that would be her own.” There are some *sentimental* feelings in the line, ”She knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death.” Finally, the feeling of being *emancipated* or free is stated directly in the line, “Free! Body and soul free!” she kept whispering.”