The Great Gatsby Character Analysis
Your 2 page essay should analyze ONE character in ​The Great Gatsby​. Create a thesis statement using ​ 3 character traits​ that represent
or connect to a ​THEME ​in the novel, and using evidence and quotes, analyze and explain how your character resembles that trait and
how this connects to your theme. Make sure you are using Claim, Evidence, Commentary (CEC) to structure your paragraphs. Also, your
introduction should be structured using a hook, background knowledge of the story and your character, and a thesis statement.
Above
4
On Grade Level
3
Content/Evidence: Key Ideas and Details
● Cite strong and thorough textual evidence from the novel
that directly supports the thesis statement..
● 2 pieces of evidence or more, with quotations
● Specific textual evidence (including quotes) are used to
highlight character traits and are connected to a specific
THEME.
Commentary: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
● Explaining quotes and evidence and how it connects to
thesis statement
● Explanation of evidence uses two layers of commentary 1)
how evidence reveals the character trait, and 2) How the
character trait connects to the theme.. I.e. explaining how
green light example shows 1) Gatsby’s hopefulness and 2)
how it represents the desire to achieve the American
Dream
​Organization: Production and Distribution
● Essay is organized with introduction (thesis), body, and
conclusion
● Thesis is clear and organized with ​3 character traits​ that
represent or symbolize​ a theme
● Each body paragraph includes a claim, evidence, and
commentary (CEC).
● Claim restates thesis statement using one character trait
in each paragraph
● Transitions and context are used to introduce evidence and
quotes ( Transitions: I.e. For example, in addition, also)
(Context: I.e. “When Gatsby physically reaches out toward
the green light, Nick states…”)
Conventions​:
● Essay is mostly free of grammatical errors including:
capitalization,, spelling, sentence structure
● Essay is free of contractions
● Clear and concise
● Vocabulary use is academic
Approaching
2
Below
1