First essay. Woot.
What parts of the character
should we analyze?

-- defining feature
-- assign qualities to somebody
or something
– individual or inherited
characteristic
Characterization

Authors reveal character through either
“direct” or “indirect” characterization.
Direct Characterization- The author comes right
out and describes a character’s personality.
The mother was judgmental. The employee
was lazy. The actor was self-centered.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck- “Curly was
quick and mean.”

Indirect Characterization- the writer reveals
information about a character and his
personality through that character's thoughts,
words, and actions, along with how other
characters respond to that character,
including what they think and say about him.
STAR- “Says, Thinks, Acts, Reacts”
Think “show” rather than “tell”!
Terminology

 Foil- characters who highlight the character traits of
major characters. The foil may be an opposite of the
major character, so the major character’s strengths
and virtues are more pronounced. The foil may also
be like the major character, but with lighter versions
of the major character’s strengths and virtues. The
major character is shown as even stronger.
Terminology Cont’d

 Stock Characterscharacters based on a
cultural stereotype
 Check out the link I
gave you to archetypes.
Do any of the character
archetypes apply to
your character?
Terminology Cont’d

 Characters may be “flat” or “round”.
 Flat Character- usually a minor character; only has 1
or 2 major character traits; not fully developed.
Think “one-dimensional”
 Round Character- Think “3D”; major character that
cannot be fully described in a few words; real and
complex with fears, motivations, dreams, etc.
Terminology Cont’d

 Characters can also be “static” or “dynamic”.
 Static Character- does not change throughout the
course of the story; Cinderella’s stepmother, for
instance, remains selfish and spiteful all the way to
the end.
 Dynamic Character- undergoes a significant change
in opinion or growth in character over the course of
events in the story; An example would be Ebenezer
Scrooge in Charles Dickens’s classic tale, A Christmas
Carol. After being visited by the 3 ghosts (+ Marley),
he realizes the error of his ways and becomes kind
and generous.
Where to Start?

You need to find a general focus for your
character. What is something you could bring
out as the central idea to your essay?
Brainstorm character traits that apply to your
character. Use the handout – STAR Character
Web.
STAR

Character Chart – S.T.A.R.
Name of book and author
Character name
What they SAY (to others)
What they THINK
How they ACT (in different situations)
How they REACT (to other people, situations, etc)
What quotes support your reasoning and ideas? (use 3 for each)
What adjectives describe this character?
What are strengths and/or weaknesses?
What kind of character is this?
Protagonist/Antagonist
Flat/Round/Dynamic/Static
Answer each question with complete sentences, using quotes and textual evidence (don’t forget the
page number!) and detailed explanations.
Organizing Your Essay: The
Introduction

 End the introductory paragraph with your thesis.
What big idea are you trying to get across about the
character?
 The name of the character, the title of the book, the
author’s name
 Brief description of the character (strengths and
weaknesses)
 Why you chose this particular character
(what is important about this
character and their “journey” during the story?)
 Explanation of thesis statement (Oh no!!! Not the
dreaded thesis statement!!!!)
Bob

 Definition of a THESIS STATEMENT:
 a short statement, usually one sentence, that summarizes
the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, etc.,
and is developed, supported, and explained in the text by
means of examples and evidence.
 But you all cringe at the term so let’s just rename it
and call it… Bob.
 Just make sure we can see Bob in all of your essays…
How do we find
bob?

What is the main point of your essay?
What do you want to say in your essay?
An analytical paper breaks down an
issue or an idea into its component parts,
evaluates the issue or idea, and presents
this breakdown and evaluation to the
audience.
Try this

To help you come up with a thesis:
Imagine a reporter on TV is going to do a
report on your paper. She wants to sum up
your paper in a single sentence. That is your
thesis.
For example

Chris Evans is an excellent actor who intensifies the
character of Captain America with his powerful
performance and smoldering good looks.
Percy Jackson was thrown into a world he knew
nothing about but excelled because of his inherent and
godly powers.
Organization: The Body

Develop a central trait or major characteristic.
You might do this in different ways.
How is it embodied throughout the work?
(Beginning, middle, and end. Significant
events.)
Follow a character’s growth or change.
Discuss ways that this trait may be a strength
and a weakness. (Note examples)
Organization: The Body
Cont’d

Each body paragraph should contain 2
“chunks” – integrated detail sentence,
commentary sentence, commentary sentence.
So basically, a body paragraph should be
organized like this:
(use this as a checklist)
Body paragraphs

Bob (with transition from earlier paragraphs).
Integrated detail sentence showing the trait.
Commentary sentence discussing the trait.
Commentary sentence discussing the trait.
Another integrated detail sentence showing the trait.
Commentary sentence discussing the trait.
 Commentary sentence discussing the trait.
 Ask yourself “what do I mean by that?”
 Don’t start sentences with “This quote means”





The Conclusion

How does this person fit into the work as a
whole? What is his/her part in the conflict?
Do the characteristics explain why the person
helps or hinders other characters?
This is your last chance to drive your point
home! WITHOUT saying, “This paper has
just shown…”
SUBTLY (don’t just cut and paste) remind the
reader of your central idea and Bob.