The following outline is a 'working document' from the 7th ...



The following outline is an example of teaching a character essay from the 7th grade teachers @ West Sylvan Middle School.

Teaching character essay – A Working Document

7th grade curriculum team meeting, September 19, 2005

(Present: Patti Denny; Michelle Lacaden; Melanie Morris; Marilyn Moss; Namita Nag; Brian Quinn; Karen Rouse.)

 

The essay question:

Two frequent themes in literature are the conflict between the individual and society and the conflict between the individual and him or herself. From a work of literature that you have read, select a character who struggles with society or with him or herself. In a well-developed composition, describe the effects of the on-going struggle on the character. Finally, explain why this character’s conflict conveys an important message to you as a reader or to the world at large.

 

Begin with essential question:

How do the conflicts of a literary character help one understand and cope with life’s issues?

•         Discuss & define the words in the question;

•         Discuss what conflict is

•         Discuss what life issues are… (theme)

•         How do these life issues relate to the characters in the text?

 

Characterization

1.                                     Define & explore characterization: how do authors reveal  character?

♣                             describe the character’s physical traits and personality

♣                             report the character’s speech and behavior

♣                             give the opinions and reactions of other characters toward this individual

♣                             reveal the character’s thoughts and feelings

 

2.                                    Identify character traits & motivations with references to the text. (see Reading & Writing Strategies -- PPS publication, green cover – for numerous strategies or online at: .

 

Plot

1.       Define Plot: rising action, conflict, resolution

2.      Types of plot (person vs…)

3.      Plot chart – individual or group chart; see “plot line”, page 61-62 in Reading & Writing Strategies.

 

Summarizing

•         While this essay does not require a summary (the student author should assume that the audience has read the book), students must “by establish a context for the discussion of the conflict and the character.”

Book summary includes: title, main character, setting, and plot – rising action, conflict & resolution. 1 paragraph. 5-7 sentences; should include most important details.

A two sentence summary looks like this:

_________(name of book) is about _________(main character’s name) who ________________________________(action taken to resolve conflict) for the purpose of __________. (why struggle?)

In the climax s/he succeeds when _________________.

 

 

Teaching Essay writing/Expository writing

♣         Paragraphing

♣         Topic sentences

♣         Specific details; explain how evidence proves thesis

♣         How to write a thesis statement. What is the purpose of the essay?

♣         Write Source black binder has good lessons for paragraphing and for character sketches

 

Writing the character essay

To be successful with this essay, students must:

♣         Identify character traits and motivations

♣         Identify an external or internal conflict and explain how the character struggles with the conflict

♣         Connect self or world to the conflict and the story’s message.

(KAR note: our essential question seems to focus more on the individual than the world???)

Students can chose whether to focus on internal or external conflicts.

 

Question: can students choose to write about more than one conflict – one external and one internal, two internal, three external, etc?

 

Opening paragraph

•         Engages the reader by establishing a context for the discussion of the conflict and the character.

•         introduces book, conflict & character.

•         Provides enough information to put the character & conflict in context.

•         A book summary is not necessary.

•         Clearly articulated thesis statement. The thesis is the overriding umbrella for the entire essay. It’s the writer’s opinion about the topic: what you (the writer) will demonstrate/prove.

 

Body: 2nd – 4th paragraphs: characterization & how the character is shaped/changed by the conflict. What caused the character to shift/change? One possible method: choose major events in the story that cause the character to change. For each event use at least two pieces of evidence; explain how the evidence supports the topic sentence & thesis. Use different methods of characterization throughout. Change can be subtle; often happens at the very end.

 

Conclusion: explain why the character’s conflict conveys an important message (theme) to you as a reader or to the world at large.

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