DIRECTIONS: Begin writing your introduction by completing this outline.

ESSAY PROMPT: What is the theme conveyed through your short story? How does the author use the elements of
fiction to illustrate the theme?

HOOK Watch what you wish for, sometimes they may

● Grab your audience’s attention become a reality.
● An intriguing or shocking statement, anecdote,
analogy, or quote (some people may recommend
not using a quote to start an essay though).

BACKGROUND INFO & CONTEXT
● Several sentences of background information and
needed context about your topic.
● Never assume your audience is knowledgeable
about the topic.
The story “The Monkey’s Paw” written by W.W.Jacobs
was published in 1902. This story demonstrates the
dangers of making a wish without considering the
consequences that occur with it. The story starts off
on a gloomy day when Sergeant-Major Morris visited
Mr White and his family with an unusual antique item,
the monkey’s paw. The paw gives each person three
wishes, but along with those wishes come great
consequences. Although the White family was
warned about the consequences, they couldn't Keep
from trying out the strange powers of the monkey
 paw. This led them to unexpected and tragic results,
changing they’re lives forever.

THESIS In William Wymark Jacobs's short story “The Monkey’s

● End of intro paragraph Paw”, the theme of this story is how wishes come with
a consequence, which is needed to consider before
● TAG (title, author, genre) + claim + 3 making the wish. This theme is illustrated by the
reasons consequence the White’s family faced after the wish,
the making of the second wish without thoroughly
thinking about the after result, and lastly when the
second wish was made, it shows us that some wishes
do not come out as we expect it to be.

DIRECTIONS: Write your completed introductory paragraph below:

Watch what you wish for, sometimes they may become a reality. The story “The Monkey’s Paw” written by
W.W.Jacobs was published in 1902. This story demonstrates the dangers of making a wish without considering
the consequences that occur with it. The story starts off on a gloomy day when Sergeant-Major Morris visited Mr
White and his family with an unusual antique item, the monkey’s paw. The paw gives each person three wishes,
but along with those wishes come great consequences. Although the White family was warned about the
consequences, they couldn't keep from trying out the strange powers of the monkey paw. This led them to
unexpected and tragic results, changing they’re lives forever. In William Wymark Jacobs's short story “The
Monkey’s Paw”, the theme of this story is how wishes come with a consequence, which is needed to consider
before making the wish. This theme is illustrated by the consequence the White’s family faced after the wish,
the making of the second wish without thoroughly thinking about the after result, and lastly when the second
wish was made, it shows us that some wishes do not come out as we expect it to be.
Body paragraphs for this essay should be at minimum 5-7 sentences long. Each body paragraph will have:

● 1 Topic Sentence
● 3-5+ sentences including direct quote evidence to support the point, explanations of the quote
evidence, linking the topic of the paragraph back to the thesis etc.
● 1 Transition Sentence into the topic of the next paragraph

Question/Prompt What is the theme conveyed through your short story? How does the author use the elements of
fiction to illustrate the theme?
Thesis: In William Wymark Jacobs's short story “The Monkey’s Paw”, the theme of this story is how wishes
come with a consequence, which is needed to consider before making the wish. This theme is
illustrated by the consequence the White’s family faced after the wish, the making of the
second wish without thoroughly thinking about the after result, and lastly when the second wish
was made, it shows us that some wishes do not come out as we expect it to be.

BODY PARAGRAPH #1
Topic sentence: The Whites learn the hard way that wishes can lead to unpredicted and disturbing consequences.
Quote Evidence for Body Paragraph #1 Explanation & Analysis MLA
Documentation
1) “‘Sounds like the ‘Arabian Nights’’, said Mrs. Although The Whites were warned about the
White, as she rose and began to set the deadly consequences, they still joked around
supper. ‘Don’t you think you might wish for with it. This shows us that they didn’t believe in
four pairs of hands for me?’ Her husband this magical paw and the consequences it (Jacobs 5)
drew the talisman from his pocket, and all brings.
three burst into laughter as the
Sergeant-Major, with a look of alarm on his
face, caught him by the arm.”
 2) “Unconscious of his wife’s shriek, the old After they had their first wish for two hundred
man smiled faintly, put out his hand like a pounds and had their one and only child die as (Jacobs 10)
sightless man, and dropped, a senseless a consequence, Mr White fainted as he realized
heap, to the floor.” the real strength this paw holds.

3) “‘Was that not enough?’ he demanded This shows that Mr White was done with the (Jacobs 11)
fiercely” monkey’s paw, but with Mrs White insisting, he
took the monkey’s paw and made another wish.
Conclusion (link back to thesis, transition into next paragraph)
Mr and Mrs White had dealt with severe consequences, this is because of their greed and selfishness.
Write your paragraph on the next page:

The Whites learn the hard way that wishes can lead to unpredicted and disturbing consequences. At first W.W Jacobs
shows us how they didn’t take the paw seriously. “‘Sounds like the ‘Arabian Nights’’, said Mrs. White, as she rose and
began to set the supper. ‘Don’t you think you might wish for four pairs of hands for me?’ Her husband drew the talisman
from his pocket, and all three burst into laughter as the Sergeant-Major, with a look of alarm on his face, caught him by the
arm.” Although the Whites were warned about the deadly consequences, they still joked around with it. This shows us that
they didn’t believe in this magical paw and the consequences it brings. This unseriousness caused them to make a wish
which wasn’t necessary, like the 200 pounds. After the consequence of the first wish was given, they realized how the
paw works. “Unconscious of his wife’s shriek, the old man smiled faintly, put out his hand like a sightless man, and
dropped, a senseless heap, to the floor.” After they had their one and only child die as a consequence, Mr White fainted
as he realized the real strength this paw holds. This is also shown where it says, “‘Was that not enough?’ he demanded
fiercely.” This shows that Mr White was done with the monkey’s paw, but with Mrs White insisting, he took the monkey’s
paw and made another wish. Mr and Mrs White had dealt with severe consequences, this is because of their greed and
selfishness.