Essay Writing Planning And Sample

 

Question:

“Why is the Happy Prince considered a symbol of kindness and sacrifice?”

Planning Points:

• Point 1: Who the Happy Prince was
• Point 2: How he helped poor people
• Point 3: His sacrifices for others
• Point 4: Why people remember him

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Introduction

The well-known story “The Happy Prince” written by Oscar Wilde is about love, sacrifice, and kindness towards others. The story presents a prince who discovers the suffering of poor people after becoming a statue. The question highlights how kindness and sacrifice make a person memorable in society.

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Body Paragraph 1

The Happy Prince is considered kind because he always thought about helping people instead of thinking about himself. Although the statue was decorated with gold and precious stones, the Prince noticed the misery of poor citizens from above. A small swallow became his helper and carried his messages and gifts to needy people. Many poor families received support because of the Prince’s generosity.

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Body Paragraph 2

Sacrifice became the most important quality of the Happy Prince. Every valuable object attached to the statue was removed and distributed among poor people. The ruby from his sword, the sapphires from his eyes, and the gold leaves covering his body were all given away. As a result, the Prince became dull and unattractive, yet he continued helping others without hesitation. Such actions clearly prove that true kindness often requires sacrifice.

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Conclusion

From the above discussion, it can be concluded that the Happy Prince is remembered because of his selfless actions and caring attitude. In my opinion, the story teaches readers that helping others brings greater happiness than wealth or beauty. Therefore, kindness and sacrifice remain the greatest qualities of a truly noble person.

The Essay Question

Question: In the play Macbeth, how does the author present the moral decay of the main character, and what values are violated through his actions? Provide specific references from the text to support your answer.

Student Planning Phase

(Per the rubric, a structured list of planning points must be completed before writing the answer.)

·         Point 1: The initial state of Macbeth as a loyal, morally upright warrior.

·         Point 2: The influence of ambition and the witches' prophecy leading to the murder of King Duncan (violating loyalty and hospitality).

·         Point 3: The progression of his guilt and further moral decay via the murder of Banquo.

·         Point 4: The total loss of humanity by ordering the slaughter of Macduff's innocent family.

 Sample Answer (20-Mark Rubric Compliant)

Introduction

The well-known drama Macbeth, written by the famous dramatist William Shakespeare, is about a brave Scottish general whose unchecked ambition drives him to commit heinous crimes to seize and maintain the throne. This tragic narrative deeply explores the psychological and ethical destruction of a once-noble man. The moral decay of the protagonist highlights the destructive nature of ambition when it is completely divorced from moral constraints.

Body Paragraph 1: Initial State and the First Fall

William Shakespeare introduces the protagonist as a highly respected, valorous soldier fiercely loyal to his king. However, the seed of ambition is planted by supernatural prophecies, causing rapid moral erosion. Macbeth wrestles with his conscience, famously stating that Duncan is at his castle in "double trust"—first as his kinsman and king, and second as his host, who should shut the door against his murderer, not bear the knife himself. Despite recognizing these core human values of loyalty and hospitality, ego and outside influence override his morality. The cold-blooded assassination of King Duncan marks his first major step into absolute moral darkness.

Body Paragraph 2: Escalation of Guilt and Tyranny

The consequences of violating these ethical values quickly manifest as severe paranoia and deep psychological torment. To secure his crown, Macbeth descends further into corruption, plotting the murder of his close friend, Banquo. Unlike the murder of Duncan, which caused immense internal panic, arranging the assassination of Banquo is handled with a cold, calculating detachment. This shift clearly illustrates a worsening decay of his character, proving that once a moral boundary is crossed, subsequent transgressions become significantly easier to commit.

Body Paragraph 3: Complete Loss of Humanity

The absolute bottom of the protagonist's moral decline is reached when he ruthlessly orders the senseless slaughter of Macduff’s innocent wife and children. This horrific action serves no strategic military purpose, serving instead as a cruel display of pure tyranny. By the final acts of the play, the character has grown entirely numb to horror, famously declaring that he has "supped full with horrors" and that fear no longer moves him. This complete emotional detachment and lack of remorse signal the final, total extinction of his humanity.

Conclusion

So, from the above discussion, we can conclude that unchecked ambition acts as a toxic force capable of entirely destroying an individual's ethical foundation. In my opinion, the tragic downfall of the protagonist serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of abandoning personal morals and values for the sake of power. Ultimately, the play brilliantly demonstrates that the loss of one's conscience is a far heavier price to pay than losing a crown or a kingdom.

 Rubric Checklist Review

This response satisfies the strict guidelines found in your reference materials:

·         Structure: It features a clear Introduction, an extensive Body (broken into 3 distinct paragraphs), and a formal Conclusion.

·         Word Count: Exceeds the 200-word minimum requirement.

·         Style Restrictions: No paragraph begins with a pronoun, no sentences start with the word "Because", and the language is strictly formal throughout.

·         Conclusion Syntax: Uses the mandatory concluding framework: “So, from the above discussion we can conclude that... In my opinion...”