English 10



English 10

Durham

Character Analysis Assignment NAME________________

Assignment: Your task is to write a five paragraph character analysis essay about a character in a story we have read. Once you have chosen a character to analyze, choose three adjectives or descriptive phrases which you can apply to the character. You will organize the body of your essay around these three adjectives.

Heading: Standard MLA and a creative title. Don't forget the header.

Introduction: In this first paragraph, you will introduce your character. Use an anecdote, a telling quotation or incident from the story, or a summary of how the character changes

throughout the story to engage your reader. Remember: your first line/hook must be

interesting! Include the title of the story and the author in your introduction. Your intro should be six sentences.

Thesis Statement: This sentence is the last sentence of your introductory paragraph. This

sentence will inform the reader what he or she will read in your essay. The thesis should

include the character’s name and the three adjectives.

MODEL THESIS: Throughout the novel, Scout's inquisitive, compassionate, and

adventurous personality compels her to mature from an innocent child to a thoughtful

young lady.

This is a good thesis because the reader knows the first body paragraph will show how Scout is inquisitive, the second will demonstrate how she is compassionate, and the third adventurous.

BAD THESIS: In this essay, you will see how Scout is. . . Or Scout is innocent, curious,

and intelligent. Remember, never write “In this essay” or “You...”

Body Paragraph #1: Your topic sentence includes the first adjective listed in your thesis

statement to describe your character. You will support that topic sentence with two examples from the story and one quotation. Your quotation must be cited in MLA format. Make sure you explain the connection between the examples and the adjective. This paragraph should be seven sentences in length.

Body Paragraph #2: Your topic sentence includes the first adjective listed in your thesis

statement to describe your character. You will support that topic sentence with two examples from the story and one quotation. Your quotation must be cited in MLA format. Make sure you explain the connection between the examples and the adjective. This paragraph should be seven sentences in length.

Body Paragraph #3: Your topic sentence includes the first adjective listed in your thesis

statement to describe your character. You will support that topic sentence with two examples from the story and one quotation. Your quotation must be cited in MLA format. Make sure you explain the connection between the examples and the adjective. This paragraph should be seven sentences in length.

Conclusion: Restate your thesis statement, but make sure you reword it. Provide some final thoughts about the character. This is the last paragraph your teacher reads, so make it good (6 sentences).

Character Choices for Analysis: Please note that some characters will be easier to analyze than others in that there will be more situations and examples from the text to incorporate into your essay.

Mr. White, Mrs. White, Elie Wiesel, Elie's father, Pahom

Guidelines:

θ You need an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

θ You must use at least one quotation or narration by Scout in each body

paragraph. You must include the page number of the quotation and introduce

or lead in the quotation properly. For example: Atticus instructs Jem, “She's an

old lady and she's ill. You just hold your head high and be a gentleman” (Lee

100).

(Notice how I introduced the quotation, where I put the quotation marks, and

how I noted the page number.)

θ Your direct quotations should be no more than three lines long each.

θ Make sure you use the correct number of quotation marks.

θ Use an MLA heading and MLA header.

θ The paper should be at least two pages in length.

θ The paper must be typed; 12 point font; Times New Roman; one inch margins;

double-spaced; ½ inch indents on each paragraph

θ You must have a Creative Title. Scout or something to that effect does not

work.

θ Submit your essay to and turn in a hard copy to me.

Writing Tips You Must Follow (or lose points): Check and double-check your

paper.

θ Avoid contractions (can't, won't, etc) unless in a quotation

θ Don't use slang or "banned" words (thing, stuff, etc), unless in a quotation

θ Write only in third person. Don't use “you” or “I.”

θ Do not underline or put your title in quotations

θ Use sentence variety (simple, compound, complex)

θ Use specific, vivid, and detailed incidents and examples to support your thesis

θ Fix all comma splice errors, run-ons, and sentence fragments.

θ Run spell check, but remember that it won't catch the wrong use of words

(hear/here)

θ Write in all present tense. Always write about literature in the present tense.

θ Fix all typing errors.

θ Make sure all paragraphs are indented a half an inch

θ Do not use “get” or “got.” Use stronger verbs.

θ Do not write like you talk. This is a FORMAL ESSAY.

The following website includes under the “Character Analysis Essay” Link:

θ Model character analysis essays

θ Examples of good thesis statements

θ Different ways to write a character analysis introduction and conclusion

θ Tips for strong writing

θ Other helpful information to help you write a good essay



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