Assignment: Your task is to write a five-paragraph character analysis essay about Michael Town scent from your mystery book The Naturals.
Choose three strong adjectives or descriptive phrases which you can apply to the character – these are traits that the character possesses. You will organize the body of your essay around these choices.
You must seamlessly integrate 5 vocabulary words of your choice (underline them). Make sure you choose ones you’re comfortable with so that it sounds natural. Add them in effective locations, not as last-minute thoughts.
Introduction: In this first paragraph, you will introduce your character. Be creative. Use an anecdote, a telling quote, or an incident from the novel to engage your reader. Remember: your first line must be interesting! Following the attention grabber, connect it to your thesis statement that includes the title, author, character, and traits. (It’s okay if your title and author are in the connecting statement rather than your thesis.)
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 3 adjectives.
MODEL THESIS: Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem Finch evolves from a child to an adolescent by becoming more mature socially, more enlightened about the world around him, and more brave from personal experiences.
This is a good thesis because the reader knows the first body paragraph will show how Jem becomes more mature based on his social interactions, the second will demonstrate how he becomes enlightened based on what is happening in his “world,” and the third demonstrates the bravery he gains from experiences throughout the novel. Also, the descriptors are vivid and apt for the character.
BAD THESIS: In this essay, I will show you how Jem is spoiled, stubborn, and childish.
Remember, never write “in this essay” or “you” in formal compositions. Not to mention, these adjectives are weak – you can do better!
Body Paragraphs: Your topic sentences for each paragraph will include the adjective listed in your thesis statement (in order). You will support that topic sentence with examples and a quote (TEA-CON format). Because you’re writing an essay, your topic sentences will not include the title and the author, and they should begin with transitional statements that give your paper flow. All body paragraphs need to have a topic sentence, transitions into your evidence of the characteristic, evidence to support your claim, explanation of your evidence, and a concluding sentence! Your analysis should explain how that adjective/character trait
develops the plot, adds to the suspense, impacts another character, or reveals something significant about that character. You are not summarizing, so avoid telling me what happened.
In paragraph 1 of the body integrate the quote “‘The boy shrugged. “Now, where would the fun be in that?’” (Barnes 12).
In paragraph 2 of the body integrate the quote “‘Did I hear my name?’ Michael sauntered over to join us. ‘Don’t you just hate it when you walk into the room and everyone’s talking about you? His eyes landed on the gift…’” (Barnes 200).
In paragraph 3 of the body integrate the quote “‘I’ll always come after you,’ he said, wiggling his eyebrows in a way that made the words seem like more of a joke than a promise” (Barnes 307).
Conclusion: Summarize your main points. Restate your thesis statement, but make sure you reword it. Provide some final, creative thoughts about the character.
This is the last paragraph your audience reads, so make it good.
