Character analysis essay
Thesis cheat sheet
Use the following formula to make a preliminary thesis statement. Caution:
this is an extremely simplistic foundation to your process, and only meant to
help you begin writing a strong thesis statement for your essay.
In (author) (title of work), (Character)

is

exhibits

shows
(character’s personality trait)
through his

actions

dilemma
AND perhaps through the interactions of others

choices
that

the theme

some personality trait(s)

an abstract noun
is

a judgment

evaluative statement

your opinion
to (the title of work) or (an audience)
Examples:
Sylvia, in Sara Orne Jewett’s “A White Heron,” exhibits through her love of nature and
desire for human companionship that heroes are not always brave or strong.
Sylvia, in “A White Heron,” by Sara Orne Jewett, shows the reader that childhood
perceptions of the adult world must always be shattered but childhood values don’t have
to be abandoned.
Sylvia, in Sara Orne Jewett’s “A White Heron,” exhibits all the qualities of a
stereotypical hero, which make the story satisfying only to younger readers.