Ms. Robinson
What Makes a Character?
10th grade
Task Title: What makes a character?
Approximate Time Frame: Two weeks
Grade Level/Content: 10th grade English
What desired understandings/content standards will be assessed through this task?
LA.910.2.1.5: The student will analyze and develop an interpretation of a literary work by
describing an author’s use of literary elements (e.g., theme, point of view, characterization,
setting, plot), and explain and analyze different elements of figurative language (e.g., simile,
metaphor, personification, hyperbole, symbolism, allusion, imagery);
What is the purpose of this assessment task? Summative
Through what authentic performance task will students demonstrate understanding?
You are a screenwriter responsible for writing a new summer blockbuster. As you know
from reading The Great Gatsby, a lot goes into developing a unique, deep, and complete
character.
Your task is to prepare yourself and others for writing a well-developed character. To do
this, you must study a character in The Great Gatsby so that you can examine exactly what
makes up these effective characters. Once studied, you will produce a portrayal of the character
through symbols and present your findings to your colleagues so that they might understand what
is important in a character as well.
Working in a group, you and your colleagues will need to design a life-size depiction of the
character you choose, illustrating symbolic representations of defining characteristics. Your
group’s character depiction should be clear, neat, and creative. The depiction must include, but is
not limited to, the following defining characteristics:
 Backbone (what holds this character together?)
 Heart (What drives the character’s emotions and/or feelings?)
 Brain (What motivates this character to act?)
 Feet (What grounds, or does not ground, the character?)
 Clothing (Use clothing that depicts the character’s personality.)
You must also present your character depiction to your fellow screenwriters to aid them in their
production because, of course, two heads are better than one. In your group’s presentation, a
clear, verbal rationalization should be provided for the symbols used to depict the chosen
character so yours peers may fully understand the character. You are expected to address every
symbol you include in your depiction, so make sure your choices are meaningful!
Ms. Robinson
What Makes a Character?
10th grade
What student products/performances will provide evidence of desired understandings?
• Life-size character depiction
• Presentation to peers
By what criteria will student products/performances be evaluated?
Character Depiction:
- Use of symbols to describe characteristics
o Accuracy and effectiveness
- Symbols included for all five defined characteristics
o Backbone, heart, brain, feet, clothing
- Neatness
- Creativity
Presentation:
- Rationalization and justification presented for symbols depicted
- Address of each of the five defined characteristics and each symbol depicted for each
What type of scoring tools will be used for evaluation?
An analytic rubric will be used for evaluating this task.
Why is this performance task appropriate for ESOL students?
This performance task is appropriate for ESOL students because it allows an opportunity
for students to work in groups and demonstrate creativity. This is an assignment that provides an
outlet for creativity and diverse ideas while still requiring demonstration of understanding and
rationalization of the characters. Group work is conducive to ESOL students, even those who are
at lower English language levels, because it offers peer support and modeling in both social and
academic language. Also, writing products are not required, so ESOL students might be more
comfortable contributing.
Ms. Robinson
What Makes a Character?
10th grade
Trait
2
Weight
4
3
0-1
At least two
symbols for
each
characteristic
are included.
All symbols are
highly effective
in depicting
respective
characteristic.
One-two
symbols are
included for 4
characteristics.
At least one
symbol is
included for 2-3
characteristics.
At least one
symbol is
included for 0-1
characteristics.
x1.5
At least four
symbols are
moderately
effective in
depicting
respective
characteristic
At least four
symbols
accurately
portray defined
characteristics
Effort for
neatness in
creation of the
character is
somewhat
evident.
Effort to
produce
creative use of
symbols and
images is
somewhat
evident.
Two or three
are mildly
effective in
depicting
respective
characteristic.
Zero or one
symbol is
effective in
depicting
respective
characteristic.
x3
Two or three
symbols
accurately
portray defined
characteristics
Effort for
neatness in
creation of the
character is
disputable.
One or zero
symbols
accurately
portray defined
characteristics
Effort for
neatness in
creation of the
character is
indefinite.
x3
Effort to
produce
creative use of
symbols and
images is
disputable.
Effort to
produce
creative use of
symbols and
images is
indefinite.
x0.5
Few symbols
are addressed
for each
characteristic or
all symbols are
addressed for
few (1-0)
characteristics.
Incomplete,
vague
rationalizations
of how symbols
were chosen are
explained.
x3
Character Depiction
Inclusion of
Symbols
Use of symbols
to describe
characteristicseffectiveness
Use of symbols
to describe
characteristicsaccuracy
Neatness
(Drawing, coloring,
writing)
All symbols
accurately
portray defined
characteristics
Effort for
neatness in
creation of the
character is
clearly evident.
Creativity
Effort to
produce
creative use of
symbols and
images is
clearly evident.
Address of each
symbol
All symbols are
addressed for
each
characteristic.
Rationalization
Complete,
thoughtful
rationalizations
of how all
symbols were
chosen are
explained.
x0.5
Presentation
Most symbols
are addressed
for each
characteristic or
all symbols are
addressed for
most (4)
characteristics.
Mostly
complete,
thoughtful
rationalizations
of how at least
4 symbols were
chosen are
explained.
Some symbols
are addressed
for each
characteristic or
all symbols are
addressed for
some (3-2)
characteristics.
Somewhat
complete,
vague
rationalizations
of how at least
3 symbols were
chosen are
explained.
x4
Total Points:
Comments:
Score
Ms. Robinson
What Makes a Character?
10th grade