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Instruction for Writing My Sir Gawain Essay
I need a 3–5 page essay (MLA format, 12pt Times New Roman, double spaced, with page
numbers in the upper right corner and my name before the number starting on page 2). The
essay is based only on class discussion and personal reflection, not outside research.
Premise
The essay is about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The story shows Gawain being tested
morally and spiritually, proving that even the best knight is still imperfect. I need you to analyze
how this story impacted the people of the author’s time, how it impacts me personally today, and
then compare/contrast those two audiences.
Structure & Content
● Introduction
○ Hook (something that introduces the moral testing theme).
○ Background on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
○ End with a clear thesis statement: show how the text influenced people in its own
time, how it influenced me, and how the two audiences compare.
● Body Paragraphs
○ Paragraph 1–2: How the people of the medieval period might have been
impacted by the story (chivalry, morality, honor, fear of sin, reputation, faith, etc.).
○ Paragraph 3–4: How I personally am impacted by the text (modern morals,
integrity, temptation, self-reflection, what I would’ve done if I were Gawain).
○ Paragraph 5: Compare and contrast the two audiences (the medieval audience
vs. modern me/us today).
○ Each body paragraph should include at least one direct quote from the text
(properly cited in MLA). For each quote:
1. Introduce the quote with context.
2. State the quote.
3. Explain what it means.
4. Connect it to the argument.
5. End with why it matters.
● Conclusion
○ Restate the thesis in a new way.
○ Summarize how both audiences are impacted.
○ End with a broader reflection on the importance of stories like Sir Gawain and the
Green Knight in teaching us about imperfection, morality, and growth.
Grading Criteria (must hit all points)
● 2 pts: Developed thesis at the end of intro.
● 3 pts: Analysis of how medieval people were impacted.
● 3 pts: Analysis of how I (modern audience) was impacted.
● 2 pts: Compare/contrast the two audiences.
Extra Notes
● No paragraph should be longer than half a page.
● Aim for 8–10 shorter body paragraphs instead of 3 huge ones.
● Keep it reflective and based on my personal voice.
- Premise
- Structure & Content
- Grading Criteria (must hit all points)
- Extra Notes
