February 2013
Dear Students,
Now you are finished with the novel, Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes. It is your chance to
demonstrate what you learned in a five paragraph essay and a poem reflecting a specific character from
the novel. This is a major piece of writing worth 200 points. See the schedule below for requirements.
This assignment has two parts to it: the five paragraph essay and a character poem.
Typed rough draft = 30 points
Finished Essay = 100 points
Typed rough of poem = 20 points
Finished Poem = 50 points
Due Monday
Due Tuesday
Due Wednesday
Due Thursday
Paragraph One
Make a bold statement about the book. This paragraph should include the title of the book, Bronx
Masquerade, in italics. It should also provide the author’s name. Then, give background information
regarding the novel: the setting, what is happening in the story, the characters.
Paragraph Two
Introduce the character. Explain critical details about the character and the struggles or issues they are
experiencing. This paragraph should mention your personal connection to the character…what do you
have in common? PLEASE…not Devon and I have a lot in common because we both play basketball!
Paragraph Three
Explain the poem the character wrote. This should include the title of the poem, how the poem reflects
the character. You should note figurative language and specifically what you like about the poem. Use
“to quote” any lines of significance followed by a citation from the book (Grimes 101).
Paragraph Four
Describe how the character has grown. What happens in the novel that causes the character to change?
ALL CHARACTERS GROW THROUGHOUT THIS NOVEL!
Paragraph Five
This paragraph should include the theme or lesson taught in the book. Include a personal reflection
regarding the reading of the novel. It is fine to compare the book to something else you have read in the
past.
QUOTE EXAMPLE:
Amy feels as cold as stone especially when her father is concerned. Her relationship with him has little
warmth or feeling. One time, Amy was going to the hospital and in severe pain and her father could not
even help her or provide any comforting words to her. Amy describes her feelings, “Would it have killed
him to touch me? Helped me up the hospital steps” (Grimes 102)? It seems Amy’s father is afraid to
show his love for her and she resents that lack of emotion.
1. Set up the quote by telling what happened in the story
2. Quote the book including appropriate punctuation and a citation afterwards (Grimes 103).
3. Explain the quotation and what it proves
Decide on your favorite character from the book. You should be able to make a personal connection and
provide valid support for why this character is your favorite. The connection should be insightful...and
not just superficial (Example: I like Devon because we both play basketball.)
After writing the paragraph, it should be easy to take this information and create a poem illustrating
your knowledge of the character. Refer to the first poem written about Langston Hughes for a great
example from which to model your poem.
Necessary:
 HEADING: Your name, hour, Bronx Masquerade Essay, date SINGLE SPACED top right corner
 Document, double-spaced, readable font
 Indent paragraphs
 USE TRANSITIONS to begin each paragraph. NEVER use first, second, third!
 Cite quotations properly
 Descriptive word choice matters
Remember it is important to re-read your work for silly mistakes.
Best of luck!
Mrs. Kelly
Mrs. Kelly’s Language Arts
Friday Lab Directions
 Highlight changes in rough draft
o Contractions
o Personal pronouns
o Choppy sentences
o Word choice
o Clarification….replace words like thing, it, they
o Do you have enough information? Make sentences longer and more
complete!
 Edit paper – read it over AGAIN
 Staple
o Final copy on top
NOW, take all the information about that one character and create a poem.
This should be lengthy enough to show someone who did not read the book
exactly what the character is about…you need specific examples!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Use any font
Remember to use phrases, not sentences
Can you include figurative language? Alliteration, simile, oxymoron?
WORD CHOICE MATTERS!!!
Have a neighbor read and make suggestions
Create a catchy title - NOT THE CHARACTER NAME!