Throughout the novel, Billy exhibits many positive and admirable characteristics. He would be considered a
because he has grown and learned so much by the end of the story. Any character who has many sides to his/her personality is a
; authors create and develop these kinds of character because they are more interesting to read about and more like real people. A dynamic character is not completely wonderful and perfect; he/she should have weaknesses or may fail at some times. As a dynamic character,
Billy shows this in at least two moments: involving himself in the fight with the mountain lion shows his impulsivity and his tears show he is overly sensitive/vulnerable at times.
One positive character trait of Billy is his determination, but if I were to write a whole essay on just his determination, I would not be showing Billy as dynamic. Here is a
of how I would show Billy as dynamic by giving examples from the novel:
In paragraph 1, I will write an introduction that gives background on what it means to be dynamic, on my character specifically, and on his/her character traits.
In paragraph 2 (my first body paragraph) I will write about how determined he is by explaining the details from the novel when Billy carefully saves $50 for two years to get his two hound puppies and how he trains them.
In paragraph 3 (my second body paragraph) I will write about how his walk through town and his interactions with townspeople show his inexperience (naivity).
In paragraph 4 (my third body paragraph) I will write about how he is brave by explaining what he does to make sure his dogs are safe from the mountain lion.
In paragraph 5, I would explain all that Billy learned through his experience and I will predict how these lessons will help him in life.
You do NOT have to pick Billy as your dynamic character. You will be analyzing Billy or any other character in Where the Red Fern Grows. You must choose a character who is dynamic . Your essay will explain how the character you chose qualifies as dynamic . Here are some reminders about writing literary analysis:

Include a grabber to get the attention of the reader.

You may NOT use "I" or "me" here.

Make sure you write a topic sentence at the beginning of each paragraph.

Use transitions at the beginning and/or end of each paragraph

Be sure to develop your answer using different events/moments from the novel.
*Note: you may NOT write about the three specific examples I have given you because these have been provided for you.
Actual Prompt:
Which character in Where the Red Fern Grows is dynamic? How does this character demonstrate the qualities of a dynamic character? To answer this prompt, explain and analyze THREE different specific moments from the novel to demonstrate THREE different character traits that prove your character is dynamic.

So what steps have we taken and will we take to prepare for this essay?
All dates and content are subject to change!
Thursday 12/6:
- Finish novel, receive general essay question, and brainstorm possible characters and their traits
Friday 12/7:
- Introduction of the phrase DYNAMIC character
- Practice deciding if characters in literature/film are dynamic or static
- Analyze BIG picture -- plan of attack (getting this paper and reading it all over)
Monday 12/10:
- How to avoid using "I/me/us/we" in literary writing
- Spelling list given out
- How to incorporate quotations into an essay
Tuesday 12/11:
- Looking at student samples of literary analysis –what is successful and what is not?
Wednesday 12/12:
- Graphic organizers put into practice – planning out what you'll write
- What the 5 domains (style, organization, content, conventions, focus) mean in rubrics
Thursday 12/23:
- Details and development: "this shows/demonstrates" or "this reveals"
Friday 12/14:
- Spelling quiz AND essay written in class
General structure:
Introduction paragraph: Introduce the concept of character traits generally; address how they surface and develop in people. Explain the benefits of being a dynamic person (one who changes/grows with time). Give background about the character you are writing about and what opportunities your character has to be dynamic. Introduce the qualities you are writing about and your character demonstrates them.
Body paragraph 1: When your chosen character show signs of the first quality? This should be toward the beginning on the novel.
I: Insight about your character
Se: Specific example of this quality from early in the novel
A: Analysis of your specific example—what does this moment show/reveal/demonstrate?
S: Society connection—You will NOT answer all of these! Consider answering one for the end of each body paragraph:
- How does this character improve the society he/she is in (town, his family)?
- How does this character help others through this experience?
- How does this moment impact others?
Body paragraph 2: When does your character show a second example of being dynamic? This should be from somewhere in the middle of the novel.
Body paragraph 3: When does your character show a third example of being dynamic? This should be the most impressive quality—the one that shows growth from the beginning of the novel. This should be from toward the end of the novel.
Conclusion paragraph: A few questions to consider---Does it pay off to have these qualities? Do enough people have these positive qualities in the world? How can society rid itself from the negative qualities? How does it make a better family relationship, or a better friendship and/or a better world to have positive qualities? Why is it so important for people to be dynamic?

Sample paragraph 1 template:
There are many different types of people in the world; some are here to do good, be good, and enjoy life. Others are indifferent to making the world a better place. It is the caring and selfless people who deserve and receive the most admiration, the ones who are here to enjoy life and make others' lives better. These admirable people are also the memorable characters in the best novels. They have their share of challenges and sometimes falter. These fictional characters are dynamic because they are imperfect; they have their faults just like real people.
___________ has quite a few faults in Where the Red fern Grows. His is a (who is he and what is his role) ________________________________________ who list faults)
_________________________________________. He also has many admirable qualities:______________________________. The reader is drawn to him/her because_______________________________________. In the end, the reader realizes that
______ is truly a dynamic character because although________________________________
________________________________________.
*Feel free to change the ending of this paragraph however you need to. Do note the general to specific model is clearly shown—it goes from PEOPLE, to a specific character and his/her traits.
Sample paragraph 1:
There are many different types of people in the world; some are here to do good, be good, and enjoy life. Others are indifferent to making the world a better place. It is the caring and selfless people who deserve and receive the most admiration, the ones who are here to enjoy life and make others' lives better. These admirable people are also the memorable characters in the best novels. They have their share of challenges and sometimes falter. These fictional characters are dynamic because they are imperfect; they have their faults just like real people.
Billy has quite a few faults in Where the Red fern Grows. He is a teenage boy who longs to have his own raccoon hunting dogs. At first his major fault is selfishness because he ignores his parents' money problems. He also has many admirable qualities: he is determined, caring, and grateful. The reader is drawn to him/her because he stands by what he loves. In the end, the reader realizes that Billy is truly a dynamic character because although he struggles with selfishness in the beginning, he develops into an independent and giving young man.
There are many different types of people in the world; some are here to do good, be good, and enjoy life. Others are indifferent to making the world a better place. It is the caring and selfless people who deserve and receive the most admiration, the ones who are here to enjoy life and make others' lives better. These admirable people are also the memorable characters in the best novels. They have their share of challenges and sometimes falter. These fictional characters are dynamic because they are imperfect; they have their faults just like real people. Billy's grandpa in Where the Red Fern Grows does have one major flaw, bragging, which lands Billy in dangerous situation. He also has many admirable qualities: he is caring, supportive, and loves his family very much. The reader is drawn to him/her because of the role he plays in Billy's life. In the end, the reader realizes that Grandpa is truly a dynamic character because although he succumbs to his ego at one point, he shows deep down he is a thoughtful and supportive of his grandson Billy.

There are many different types of people in the world; some are here to do good, be good, and enjoy life. Others are indifferent to making the world a better place. It is the caring and selfless people who deserve and receive the most admiration, the ones who are here to enjoy life and make others' lives better. These admirable people are also the memorable characters in the best novels. They have their share of challenges and sometimes falter. These fictional characters are dynamic because they are imperfect; they have their faults just like real people. The greatest flaw of Billy's dogs in Where the Red fern Grows is there impulsivity: they attack without thought to the danger they are putting themselves in. They are hunting dogs , after all, and Billy trained them to be aggressive; the impulse to attack is also in their blood. This impulse also leads to one of Little Ann and Old Dan's two most admirable qualities: they are protective of Billy and loyal to each other. The reader is drawn to them because their love for their owner and their love for life is so evident in everything they do. In the end, the reader realizes that Little Ann and old
Dan are truly dynamic characters because although they are imprudent at times, they are only trying to protect and be loyal.
There are many different types of landscapes in the world; some are peaceful and beautiful and others are harsh and create challenges. The most attractive places usually have all these features, and these diverse surroundings are what authors try to capture when setting up the exposition of their novels. These environments become dynamic characters in the novel because of how the character must respond to the challenges they face within and because of them. In Where the
Red fern Grows, the Ozark Mountains can be a rugged terrain for Billy. This teenage hunter comes face-to face with a mountain lion and must survive in a blizzard. Billy also experiences freedom and harmonious days of hunting with his beloved dogs in these mountains. The reader is drawn to the landscape of Where the Red Fern Grows because of the beautiful descriptions and unpredictability. In the end, the reader realizes that setting is truly a dynamic character because although it can be cruel and aggressive, it can also be comforting and sacred.

GRABBER (general)
Intro:
Sentence #1:
Sentence #2-4:
Sentence #5-7:
Each body paragraph:
I:
SE:
A:
S:
Conclusion:
Sentence #1:
Sentences #2-4: