This essay is for a 9th grade English class and needs to be written from a very simplistic point of view that mockery is bad when it get’s personal and vicious.
The topic: Is Theseus wrong to mock the rude mechanicals at the end of the play? In order to answer this question, you’ll discuss the nature of mockery, look at two test cases, and use evidence from the text.
Paragraph one: Introduction
This paragraph should include a hook, background, and thesis. The hook should catch attention, and will probably be about mockery, laughter, or something similar. The background should introduce the play, the characters, and the situation (i.e. In the play Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare, the rude mechanicals, a group of untalented actors, put on a play for Duke Theseus’ wedding. Although he says that it’s the thought that counts, he makes fun of them during the entire performance.) The Thesis is the argument, either that Theseus’ mockery is cruel or all in good fun.
Paragraph two: The Rebecca Black Test Case
In this paragraph, the student explores the story of Rebecca Black and the mockery she received from the “Friday” song. They comment on the ethics of her treatment.
Paragraph three: The Antoine Dodson Test Case
In this paragraph, the student explores the story of Antoine Dodson and the mockery he received by the “Bed Intruder” song. They comment on the ethics of his treatment.
Paragraph four: A Moral Case for Mockery
In this paragraph, students respond to Seth Dillon’s video “A Moral Case for Mockery” and the idea that mockery is sometimes appropriate and beneficial.
Paragraph five: Synthesis
In this paragraph, students apply their above discussion of the ethics of mockery specifically to the case of Theseus, and unpack why Theseus’ case was or was not appropriate. They must use at least one piece of evidence from the text.
Paragraph six: Conclusion
In this paragraph, students recap and perhaps give appropriate application before ending in a catchy way.