Unexpected Lesson - Character Analysis Essay, Essays (university) of Creative writing

Download Unexpected Lesson - Character Analysis Essay and more Essays (university) Creative writing in PDF only on Docsity! Notice the three character traits here... Character Analysis Essay Assignment: Your assignment is to write a character analysis of a major character in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Once you have chosen a character to analyze, choose three adjectives that describe that character. These adjectives, or character traits, will be the basis of your five-paragraph essay. Requirements: Your thesis statement should be stated directly in your introduction and be proven throughout your body paragraphs. You must use at least one quotation from the novel in each of the three body paragraphs to support your ideas. These quotations must be correctly documented according to MLA guidelines… refer to “Format for Quotations” below. The paper must be typed in 12 point font and double-spaced. The paper must have a title…do not underline it or put it in quotes. Length – The paper should be at least one full page typed, but no more than two pages. Deductions will be made for the following errors: o Contractions (except in direct quotations from the story)… they are informal o 1st and 2nd person pronouns… keep your paper in 3rd person. o Slang and non-specific words (thing, guy, a lot, kid, etc.)… also informal o Grammar, spelling, and usage errors o Typing errors o Tense shifts…write in all present or all past tense…be consistent. o Not underlining or italicizing book titles Character Choices: Atticus Finch Aunt Alexandra Boo (Arthur) Radley Dill Jem Finch Miss Caroline Miss Maudie Atkinson Mrs. Dubose Scout Finch Writing Your Thesis Statement… As we‟ve discussed, a thesis statement is a sentence or two that tells the reader what the rest of the essay is about. Good thesis statements do not simply announce a topic; they say something about the topic, and it provides the framework for your paper. Never start a thesis with, “In this paper I will discuss…” A thesis statement makes a promise to the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of the paper. It summarizes the conclusion that the writer has reached about the topic. For Example: Through Miss Maudie Atkinson’s open-mindedness, optimism, and compassion, she helps Jem and Scout better understand Atticus and their community. After every quote, write the author’s last name and the page number that the quote is found on in parenthesis, followed by period. If you make a change to the original text (for clarity) put the change in brackets. Create an intro to your quotation that helps the reader understand its meaning. This is called a “tag line.” Double quotation marks around the entire quote; single quotation marks to show where the quotations exist already in the text. Author’s last name and page number. Detailed Outline: Paragraph #1 Introduction – general comments about the character and/or novel lead you to your thesis statement (described above). Be sure you have identified the author and title of the book and the character you will be analyzing. Some questions you could address in your introduction include: Why did you pick this character? What do you like and/or dislike about this character? Do you identify with this character on any level? Do you know someone similar to him or her? Explain. Paragraphs #2 - #4 Three Body Paragraphs – the topic sentence for each body paragraph includes one character trait you chose to describe your character. For example, “Atticus Finch is a man of great integrity.” Follow the topic sentence with evidence from the novel: examples from the story that support your topic sentence, and at least one direct quotation from the novel in each body paragraph. Next, explain how your examples support your topic sentence, and conclude each body paragraph with a summarizing “clincher” sentence to wrap-up your ideas. Paragraph #5 Conclusion – restate your thesis statement and add some final thoughts about your character and/or the novel…leave the reader in awe of your wisdom! Format for Quotations Example #1 Basic Quotation A change in Jem‟s attitude toward the Radleys is shown when Scout reports, “Less than two weeks later we found a whole package of chewing gum, which we enjoyed, the fact that everything on the Radley Place was poison having slipped Jem‟s memory” (Lee, 60). Example #2 A Quote within a Quote Jem‟s frustration with the injustices of the world is shown in the courtroom. “‟Doesn‟t make it right,‟ said Jem stolidly. He beat his fist softly on his knee. „You just can‟t convict a man on evidence like that – you can‟t‟” (Lee, 220). Example #3 Changing a word or two in a quotation to clarify its meaning. Harper Lee helps her readers understand why this neighbor is so mysterious to the children of the neighborhood when she states that “Mr. Radley kept [Boo] chained to the bed most of the time” (Lee, 16).