Tips for Writing an A-Worthy Shakespeare Paper

**Note: the following tips, advice and suggestions come from the writer's personal experience as a senior English minor at the University of South Alabama and recipient of an A on every Shakespeare paper written thus far. For countless English Literature majors and minors at universities around the world, it is near impossible to avoid taking at least one Shakespeare course. In fact, the majority of today's English tracts require two to three courses which focus entirely on the life and work of the great English author, poet and playwright. For untold centuries, Shakespeare's works have been at the forefront of contemporary literature analyses and criticisms.

Before taking a Shakespeare course, there are several elements of Shakespearean paper and essay writing you will need to consider. Writing an essay on a Shakespearean work is not difficult, but does require long hours of in-depth study, deep analyses and philosophical and metaphorical insight.

1. Look for "Telling Phrases"

As is often the case with the majority of ancient literature and poetry, students tend to lose track of the plot and find themselves confused by outdated language and outdated cultural references. In the case of a Shakespearean work, it is absolutely critical that you not lose track of the plot. Shakespeare's plays are known for boasting multiple subplots, each carefully and creatively nested within, under and around a larger main plot. If you are not careful, you can easily become lost.

While reading and re-reading, keep your eyes open for phrases that indicate significant points in plot change and/or character development. Shakespeare often reveals the identities, personalities and symbolisms of his characters through their language and speech patterns, as well as the language patterns of those characters with whom they interact.

For example, in Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Hamlet: Prince of Denmark, Ophelia's very persona and emotional state is repeatedly associated with the delicacy and fragility of a flower, even at her deathbed scene. In Act I, Scene iii, Ophelia's brother Laertes is bidding her a farewell and subsequently offers her his advice on her relationship with Hamlet by saying: "A violet in the youth of primy nature,/ Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting/ The perfume and suppliance of a minute,/ No more" (lines 6-10)

By describing Hamlet and Ophelia's love as a flower that is "not lasting" (as flowers are known to quickly wither and die), Laertes joins the cast of characters in this play who constantly use floral imagery when speaking to and with Ophelia. Look for these types of specific examples in all of Shakespeare's works. They will give you deeper insights into Shakespeare's use of figurative imagery and creativity. And, hopefully, such insights will serve to impress your professor.

2. Support your Thesis, Opinions and Arguments with Key Quotes and Examples

As with any argumentative paper, you should support your paper's thesis with specific quotes and events from the Shakespearean work you are dissecting. Do not simply tell your professor what you think. Tell him/her why you think it and support your theory with specific evidence from the play. However, be careful to quote judiciously. Do not quote entire paragraphs of the text to fill up more space in your paper. Keep your quotes and paraphrases short and relevant. Prove to your professor that your insights are coming directly from your interpretation of Shakespeare's text.

3. Avoid Plot Summaries, Long-Winded Introductions and Generic Information

Remember that your professor has read the play and is well acquainted with Shakespeare's life and history as a poet and playwright. Unless specifically required, there is little need to rehearse this information in your paper. It redundant and pointless. If you are tasked with analyzing a specific scene, strain of imagery and/or character, devote all your time, energy and paper length to doing just that.

Do not summarize the plot or go off on a rabbit trail. Be as specific and precise as possible and remain within the context and framework of your topic and thesis. Your professor will not be impressed that you understand what the play is about or that you know the location and date of Shakespeare's birth. This is something you should already know from your introductions and readings of the play. Stick to your topic and answer any questions your professor may have required of your paper.

4. Maintain a Consistent Opinion Throughout your Paper

If there is one thing any English professor cannot stand, it is self-contradiction. Believe it or not, this is very easy to do within a Shakespearean paper without even realizing it. Once you have established your position, do not deviate from it. If you begin a character analysis of a specific individual by deeming him/her "inherently evil," but later mention and/or praise a good act performed by that character, you have contradicted yourself. After completion of your paper, re-read it to check for any areas where such contradictions may have occurred.

Whether or not you agree with your professor's interpretation of a specific scene, event or character is irrelevant. This is your opinion and will be supported by solid evidence in the form of quotes as well as any outside sources you may choose incorporate. Be certain that the opinion of your source is in line with your own. This will also help to maintain consistency.

While you certainly cannot prove why Shakespeare chose to make the decisions that he did, you can analyze his decisions in the form of a well-written, well-argued paper. Bear in mind much of the aforementioned and enjoy your study of Shakespeare!