AEC Paragraph Writing:
Characterization in Things Fall Apart
Task
Today, you will write an
AEC-style paragraph that
discusses Chinua Achebe’s
characterization in Things
Fall Apart.
You will only write about
one character from the
story.
What does AEC stands for and how is it
used in writing a paragraph?
Assertion: What’s your
answer? (topic sentence)
Evidence: cite specific
examples (prove it)
Commentary: explain why
the evidence proves the
assertion (back it up)
Question
How does Chinua Achebe use
characterization in Things Fall Apart?
Prewriting
• Decide which character you want to write about –
Okonkwo, Unoka, Nwakibie, Nwoye, Ikemefuna, etc.
• Insert the name into the question: How does Chinua
Achebe use characterization in depicting ________ in
Things Fall Apart?
• Scan notes and the novel for text, words, and phrases
that describe the character that you select.
• Jot down page number for parenthetical citations.
• In your own words, briefly explain how the author
describes the character.
Rough Draft
• Use the AEC form to guide the writing of each
sentence.
• Write the topic sentence: Chinua Achebe uses
characterization in depicting ________ in Things Fall
Apart.
• Cite one example of characterization from the book.
Whether you paraphrase, use an excerpt, or quote,
end the line with a parenthetical citation (23).
• In your own words, briefly explain how the author
describes the character in the example that you’ve
chosen.
Finishing Touches
• How will you add an interesting beginning.
• Is the last sentence summative or impactful?
• Proofread for basic grammar.
Compose the Final Draft
 Use loose leaf paper.
 Write heading on the first three lines.
 Center title: Characterization in Things Fall Apart.
 Only indent the first line of your paragraph.
 Write within the margins and write neatly.
 Proofread to ensure that writing is free of errors.
 Submit … your best work.
Would you like an example that shows
what your work should look like?
Let us begin with prewriting …
Nwoye – What does the text say about him?
• Nwoye is Okonkwo’s
first son.
• “…[Nwoye] was already
causing his father great
anxiety for his incipient
laziness. At any rate,
that was how it looked
to his father…” (13).
• Okonkwo thinks that his
son is lazy, so he always
nags and beats the boy
(14).
• Nwoye becomes
attached to Ikemefuna –
the young man from
Mbanio – while
Ikemefuna lives with
them.
Now, let us write the rough draft…
which must have an topic sentence (assertion),
details (evidence), and explanation of evidence
(commentary).
Topic Sentence
Sample AEC Paragraph
Chinua Achebe uses characterization in
depicting Nwoye in Things Fall Apart. The young 13year-old boy is always nagged and beaten by his
father because Okonkwo thinks Nwoye is lazy (14).
Evidence/Details
Okonkwo fears Nwoye is going to end up like
Nwoye’s unaccomplished grandfather, Unoka. The
text does not support Okonkwo’s fear. Actually,
Nwoye looks up to his father, but the young boy is
plagued by Okonkwo’s own insecurities. All in all,
Achebe gives readers a quaint but powerful image
of Nwoye, the son of Umuofia’s most respected
Commentary
man.
Remember, AEC is one tool. Here is a model
example of a complete paragraph with an
interesting beginning, supporting details, and a
conclusion. The next slide contains an example of
what a solid paragraph looks like. However, you
may earn credit for your AEC paragraph if it does
not have an interesting beginning.
E
X
C
E
L
L
E
N
T
“Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy
hand” (13). This statement describes the power of
Okonkwo, who is respected thoughout Umuofia and the
neighboring villages. He is indeed a strong man, but how
is life for his children, especially a son? Chinua Achebe
uses characterization in depicting Nwoye in Things Fall
M Apart. The young 13-year-old boy is always nagged and
O beaten by his father because Okonkwo thinks Nwoye is
D
lazy
(14).
Okonkwo
fears
Nwoye
is
going
to
end
up
like
E
L Nwoye’s unaccomplished grandfather, Unoka. The text
does
not
support
Okonkwo’s
fear.
Actually,
Nwoye
looks
P
A up to his father, but the young boy is plagued by
R
Okonkwo’s
own
insecurities.
All
in
all,
Achebe
gives
A
G readers a quaint but powerful image of Nwoye, the son
R
of
Umuofia’s
most
respected
man.
A
P
H