English 6 - Scarsdale Public Schools



Name: ________________________________________ Date: _________________________________

6B- _____ Writing: Schooled Character Trait Paragraph ( Directions

Task: Choose a main character from Schooled. Describe this character with a thoughtful, observant adjective. Find two (2) quotes from the book to support your adjective. Then write a single paragraph in which you create an argument for the adjective of your choice. Within this paragraph, name your character and your trait, and then support the trait with the single (1) most significant quote that you have. Develop your quote by clearly providing A) the context for this quote; and B) an insightful explanation of why you chose it. Write your argument for an audience, or readers, who might be unfamiliar with your book. Use objective tone.

Characters: You may choose any one of the following main characters: Cap, Zach, Naomi, Hugh, or Sophie. Choose a character you know well and can describe in detail.

Character Trait: A character trait is a distinguishing descriptive word (your adjective) that describes an important part of a character’s personality. To single out a character trait for a character, think about what this character says (dialogue); what he or she does (actions); what he or she thinks (thoughts); and what he or she feels (feelings), especially in dramatic or significant moments of his or her life. During these moments, characters define themselves, similar to the way that people in the real world do the same. In other words, your identification of a character trait should show insight into the mind and psychology of a character and should not be too simple or superficial. (Avoid traits like nice, funny, cool, mean, etc.)

Examples of Character Traits: wise / naïve; secure / insecure; confident /

self-doubting; loyal / disloyal; mature / immature; mischievous /

wholesome; self-centered / selfless; honest / dishonest; proud / shameful;

open-minded / close-minded; adaptable / stubborn; courageous / fearful;

moral (good) / immoral (bad); optimisitic / pessimistic; humble / arrogant;

powerful / powerless; considerate / inconsiderate, etc.

Notes:

*A character trait is not a physical description: tall, short, messy, neat, etc.

*A character trait is not a noun: leader, follower, hippy, bully, athlete, etc.

*Avoid non-descript words such as “nice,” “friendly,” and “sweet.” Instead,

try to interpret your character on a deeper level, using more sophisticated

vocabulary to reflect the depth of your analysis.

Form:

1. Topic Sentence: State your main idea in a single sentence. (Say what you think, or your opinion; answer the assignment.)

*Include a provable opinion or interpretation, not a fact.

*Be general, not specific. No supporting details here.

*Include the title and author.

Examples:

1. In Gordon Korman’s Schooled, initially Sophie Donnelly finds it difficult to accept Cap, but eventually she shows him her reflective side.

2. In Schooled by Gordon Korman, Zach is malicious in the way he

treats Hugh and Cap.

3. Capricorn Anderson, the main character from Schooled by Gordon Korman, shows that he is a blindly innocent character as he adjusts to his new school.

.

2. Supporting Details: In 7-10 sentences, support your main idea with a convincing quote from the book. (Explain why you believe in your main idea: Provide and explain your evidence.)

*Use a quote (text ( not necessarily dialogue ( that you copy word-for-

word from the book) that proves your opinion and makes your argument

more convincing. Do not merely use quotes to summarize the story.

3. Insight Statement: In 1-2 sentences, make a text-to-world connection in which you provide a wise conclusion about a timeless human issue that is based on the rest of your paragraph. State a deep idea about the real world that the book suggests to you. (Answer the question: Who cares?)

*Conclusive transition; text reference; springboard; real-world insight

*Conclusive transitions (ultimately, basically, overall, so, essentially, etc. —

not in conclusion).

*Avoid clichés (over-used sayings) and advice.

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