Section outline

  • Objective:

    Students will analyze a complex character from a novel, focusing on their motivations and interactions with others.

    Task:

    Write a 3-page essay analyzing a complex character, examining their motivations and how they interact with others in the story. Use textual support to back up your analysis.

    Outcome:

    A 3-page character analysis essay with at least two significant character motivations, supported by specific textual evidence.

    Materials List:
    1. Novel (assigned by the teacher or chosen 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 and typing the essay
    7. Printed rubric (for self-assessment)
    8. Printed outline template (optional)
    9. Essay draft feedback sheet (optional)

    Evaluation Rubric

    Criteria

    4 (Excellent)

    3 (Good)

    2 (Needs Improvement)

    1 (Unsatisfactory)

    Character Motivations

    Identifies and explains two strong motivations with thorough analysis and textual evidence.

    Identifies and explains two motivations with sufficient analysis and evidence.

    Identifies one motivation or weakly explains two motivations with limited evidence.

    Fails to identify clear motivations or lacks analysis.

    Textual Evidence

    Uses three or more strong pieces of evidence with clear analysis and connection to motivations.

    Uses three pieces of evidence with some analysis of how it supports the motivations.

    Uses fewer than three pieces of evidence or lacks clear analysis of the evidence.

    No textual evidence or evidence is irrelevant to the analysis.

    Organization and Structure

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

    Organized essay with clear sections, though some parts may need more development.

    Some organizational issues or lack of coherence between paragraphs.

    Disorganized essay with no clear structure.

    Analysis and Explanation

    Provides deep analysis of the character's motivations and how they affect actions/relationships.

    Provides a good analysis, but may be underdeveloped or unclear at times.

    Analysis is limited, with little explanation of how motivations affect actions.

    No clear analysis of motivations, or analysis is too vague.

    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 difficult to read.

    This unit will help you develop critical thinking skills and the ability to support your ideas with strong textual evidence. Take your time to explore the motivations of the character, and remember to always support your analysis with direct evidence from the novel.