Visual Essay Assignment
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
Due Date: ___________________
ASSIGNMENT
Choose either main character in your novel and create a visual essay that symbolizes
and reveals specific character traits and development of that character. You can choose to do
this as a character analysis, a character comparison between the two characters, or as an
analysis of the character development.
OR
Choose some of the symbols that have been discussed in class, and describe how
they are used throughout the novel. You should describe how the symbol is used, the
importance of the symbol, and its meaning to the novel as a whole.
CRITERIA
- You must include a minimum of 5 direct quotations from the text to support your
essay, including proper citation, using quotations, and page references.
- You must include a minimum of 5 personal quotes to support your essay, that
demonstrate your personal reflections and analysis of characters or symbols.
- There should be a minimum half page written response, in proper paragraph format,
that explains each of the quotes you chose, and the symbols or pictures you chose to represent
each quote. Each symbol should be explained in approximately 2-3 sentences.
- A minimum of 10 pictures or symbols, one for each direct quote from the text, and
one for each personal quote or statement, used to represent, visualize, and symbolize that
quotation.
You may have more than 5 quotes for each section, and more than 10 pictures.
Having more would show effort and would demonstrate how you can extend your thinking.
This is a creative assignment, so visual appeal will also be a substantial portion of your mark.
Please refer to the rubrics for your marking scheme to make sure that you fulfill all
expectations of the assignment. There will be a rubric for your writing content, and one for
your overall essay.
RUBRIC
CRITERIA
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 4
Knowledge and
Understanding
Demonstrates
limited
knowledge and
understanding of
character
development
and/or symbolism
throughout the
novel.
Demonstrates
some knowledge
and
understanding of
character
development
and/or symbolism
throughout the
novel.
Demonstrates
good knowledge
and
understanding of
character
development
and/or symbolism
throughout the
novel.
Demonstrates
excellent
knowledge and
understanding of
character
development
and/or symbolism
throughout the
novel.
Thinking
Selects and
develops
appropriate
quotations to
demonstrate
understanding of
character and/or
symbolism with
limited
effectiveness.
Selects
appropriate
visuals to
represent
quotations with
limited
effectiveness.
Selects and
develops
appropriate
quotations to
demonstrate
understanding of
character and/or
symbolism with
some
effectiveness.
Selects
appropriate
visuals to
represent
quotations with
some
effectiveness.
Selects and
develops
appropriate
quotations to
demonstrate
understanding of
character and/or
symbolism with
good
effectiveness.
Selects
appropriate
visuals to
represent
quotations with
good
effectiveness.
Selects and
develops
appropriate
quotations to
demonstrate
understanding of
character and/or
symbolism with
excellent
effectiveness.
Selects
appropriate
visuals to
represent
quotations with
excellent
effectiveness.
Communication
Organizes
information
clearly and
creatively with
limited
effectiveness.
Organizes
information
clearly and
creatively with
some
effectiveness.
Organizes
information
clearly and
creatively with
good
effectiveness.
Organizes
information
clearly and
creatively with
excellent
effectiveness.
Application
Applies
understanding of
characterization
and symbolism
through written
responses and
personal
quotations with
limited
effectiveness.
Applies
understanding of
characterization
and symbolism
through written
responses and
personal
quotations with
some
effectiveness.
Applies
understanding of
characterization
and symbolism
through written
responses and
personal
quotations with
good
effectiveness.
Applies
understanding of
characterization
and symbolism
through written
responses and
personal
quotations with
excellent
effectiveness.
Creativity
Lacks creativity.
Some creativity.
Adequate
creativity.
Excellent
creativity.