Enrico
British Lit
THE CANTERBURY TALES: MAKE A MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPT & CREATE A
CHAUCERIAN CHARACTER ASSIGNMENT
PART 1:
Write a modern character description in the style of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
Your verse should be written in rhyming couplets and should be at least 20 lines long.
Choose your character from the social “types” that exist at Sunny Hills High School. You
should try to achieve a tone that is either serious or comical. You must include the following
kinds of characterization:
 Physical description that reveals personality traits
 The character’s own actions, feelings, thoughts, and speech
 Direct characterization
TIP: The more dramatic and exaggerated your character is, the more successful your description
will be.
PART 2:
Illustrate the final draft of your Chaucerian character description in the style of a medieval
manuscript. You may write the final draft (neatly!) in black ink. Use plain white paper, or any
creative papers you wish. Include small drawings and decorations related to your character in the
margins of your paper. The more elaborate your manuscript, the better. Be creative!!!
PART 3:
OPTIONAL EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: For a maximum of 10 points extra credit,
you may present your Medieval Manuscript / Chaucerian Character to the class. Your
presentation should consist of the following:
 Reading your verse aloud,
 Displaying your manuscript, and
 Identifying the three required methods of characterization included in
your description.
***If you will be presenting your verse, you must let me know prior to the due date***
GRADING:
Banner title
20 rhyming couplets
Artwork
TOTAL
5 points
40 points (2 points per line)
20 points
65 points