Section outline

  • Objective:

    Students will cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support an analysis of a character's motivation in a passage from a novel.

    Task:

    Select a passage from a novel and analyze a character's motivation. Use at least three pieces of textual evidence from the passage to support your argument.

    Outcome:

    Write a 1-page analysis that explains the character’s motivation, supported by at least three pieces of textual evidence from the chosen passage.

    Materials List:
    1. A copy of the novel (assigned by the teacher or selected by the student)
    2. Pen or pencil
    3. Notebook or digital document for notes
    4. Highlighter (optional)
    5. Dictionary or thesaurus (optional)
    6. Access to a computer or writing tool for drafting the analysis
    7. Printed rubric (for self-assessment)
    8. Printed template for essay outline (optional)
     
    Evaluation Rubric

    Criteria

    4 (Excellent)

    3 (Good)

    2 (Needs Improvement)

    1 (Unsatisfactory)

    Textual Evidence

    Cites 3+ strong pieces of evidence with thorough analysis.

    Cites 3 pieces of evidence with basic analysis.

    Cites 1-2 pieces of evidence with limited analysis.

    Cites little or no evidence to support the analysis.

    Analysis and Explanation

    Provides a deep analysis of how each piece of evidence supports the character's motivation.

    Provides a basic analysis of how each piece of evidence supports the character’s motivation.

    Provides limited or unclear analysis of evidence.

    Lacks analysis or explanation of how evidence supports motivation.

    Organization and Structure

    Well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

    Organized, but structure may need improvement.

    Lacks clear organization, making the analysis difficult to follow.

    Disorganized with no clear structure.

    Clarity and Coherence

    Ideas are clear, well-developed, and easy to follow.

    Ideas are generally clear but may be underdeveloped.

    Some ideas are unclear or confusing.

    Ideas are difficult to follow and lack clarity.

    Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation

    No errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

    Few errors, but they do not affect readability.

    Multiple errors that affect readability.

    Numerous errors that make the essay hard to read.

    This unit will help you practice analyzing character motivation and citing textual evidence to support your ideas. Take your time to think deeply about the character's actions and motivations, and be sure to use strong evidence from the text. Good luck!