STUDENT EXAMPLE by Ateera Blackwood (PCSST, Grade 8) Date: 10-18-13
Using Plot Points to Analyze Characters ORGANIZER
TITLE: ”Abuela Invents the Zero” in An Island Like You AUTHOR: Judith Ortiz Cofer
Plot Point (What’s happening?)
Introduction:
Abuela comes to New Jersey for a
visit.
What is REVEALED about the character(s)?
• Abuela doesn’t like to waste things.
• Connie is embarrassed by her family.
• Abuela is a hard-working woman.
• Connie is into fashion.
Rising Action:
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Connie takes Abuela to mass.
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Climax/ Turning Point:
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Abuela says, “You made me feel
like a zero, like a nothing.”
Falling Action:
Connie’s mother goes to hear
Abuela’s side of the story.
Resolution:
Connie is sent to her room.
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HOW do you know? (Use evidence from the text.)
• Abuela didn’t want a winter jacket because
she would only be there for 2 weeks (157).
• Connie doesn’t want to be seen with them
at the airport (158).
• Abuela raised 10 children by herself.
• Connie wants to go to a fashion show on
Saturday night (158).
Connie is sometimes annoyed with
her father.
Connie is embarrassed by her
grandmother.
Connie may have upset her
grandmother.
Connie cares a lot about what others
think of her.
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Connie now feels like she did
something wrong.
Connie doesn’t like it when she
upsets her mother.
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Connie is sorry about what she did.
Connie doesn’t want to be sent to
apologize.
Connie has trouble apologizing to
others.
Connie has a lot to think about.
Connie will now respect her
grandmother more.
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Contributed by Allison Miller
He messes around with her even though
she’s late to be somewhere (159).
Connie doesn’t want to be seen with Abuela
at mass (160).
Her grandmother doesn’t speak to her after
mass (161).
After mass, all Connie’s thinking of is others’
reactions (161).
When Connie tries to explain what
happened, what she said sounded stupid,
even to herself (162).
She cringes at a look her mother gives her
(162).
Connie said she now understood how I
made Abuela feel (162).
She doesn’t say what needs to be said (162).
She doesn’t want to go and apologize to
Abuela.
Connie is sent to her room to think about
zero (163).
She realizes what she has done and feels
sorry.