Sample Prewriting Template: Type your responses to each prompt below.

1. Identify a writing topic from page 1.

My Topic: R & J is a catastrophe

2. State your thesis in a single sentence that clearly reflects your position—must be arguable and objective, not an “I” or “you” statement. Must also answer “so what”—why is it important?

My preliminary thesis: Romeo & Juliet is mislabeled a tragedy and should instead be titled The Catastrophe of Romeo & Juliet due to the external forces that lead to the main characters’ deaths.

3. In this section, identify a) a supporting statement, b) a quotation that provides evidence and c) analysis. You will need a total of five of these triads. See below for explanations:

1. a) Support statement: Soon after Benvolio suggests Romeo look at other girls to forget about Rosaline, the two coincidentally encounter a Capulet servant who asks for their assistance in reading list of names he is to invite to a party at the Capulet estate that night.

b) Quotation:

SERVINGMAN. I pray, sir, can you read?

ROMEO. Ay, if I know the letters and the language.

SERVINGMAN. You say honestly. Rest you merry.

ROMEO. Stay, fellow. I can read.

…My fair niece Rosaline and Livia….

c) Analysis: As Romeo reads the list aloud, Benvolio notices Rosaline, Romeo’s love interest, will be in attendance at the party. Benvolio then suggests they crash the party, intent on finding Romeo another maiden on whom to turn his attention. Little do they know, Romeo will indeed find another, the fair Juliet. Without the coincidental meeting with the servingman, an external force, it is doubtful Benvolio and Romeo would have known about the Capulet party let alone attend, which means it is unlikely Romeo would have cause to meet Juliet.