Hamlet Essay
Some reminders
Overview
 My expectations
 Writing reminders
 M.L.A.
 Noodlebib
 Easybib
 Due dates and extra credit
My Expectations
 Well developed essay
 Take risks – make this interesting to
read.
 Thesis
 Support from Hamlet.
 Grammatically and mechanically clean
 1 point off per error – maximum 20 points
 Literary criticism.
Writing reminders
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Take steps
Brainstorm
Outline
First drafts
Revisions
Writing Tips
 Write about what’s in the play, not what a
director has chosen.
 Kenneth Branagh chose to show Hamlet in
front of a mirror – this is not in the play.
 Efficient writing
 Strong verbs
 Avoid repeating titles
 Opheila’s father, Polonius.
 Avoid retelling the story – remind the reader
Modern Language
Association (MLA)
 Essay in MLA format.
 Heading
 Header
 Double-spaced, 12-point, Times New
Roman
 Works cited
 Play title is italicized.
 Parenthetical citations
MLA continued
 Parenthetical citations
 Arabic numbers for Act, Scene, and line
numbers.
 Example (2.2.166-166)
 Technically, it is (Ham 2.2.166)
 Less than four lines – separate line
breaks with /.
 More than four – use block quotation.
MLA continued
 Hamlet says, “To be, or not to be: that is the
question / whether ‘tis nobler in mind to suffer”
(2.1.135-136).
 OR
 Hamlet says,
To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, (2.1.135-138)
Hamlet is contemplating suicide, yada, yada,
yada.
MLA Continued
 Look up how to create works cited page
 Noodlebib
 Easybib
Due dates and extra credit
 Essay Due next Monday, March 8.
 Writing lab extra credit.
 Again, I am not awarding points for
outline and drafts, but I will look over or,
better yet, sit down with you to help your
writing.
Last thing
 A plumber wouldn’t try to fix a clogged
toilet without a wrench, gloves, and a
plunger, so…