The following outline is an example of teaching a character essay from the 7th
grade teachers @ West Sylvan Middle School.
Teaching character essay – A Working Document
7th grade curriculum team meeting, September 19, 2005
(Present: Patti Denny; Michelle Lacaden; Melanie Morris; Marilyn Moss; Namita Nag;
Brian Quinn; Karen Rouse.)
The essay question:
Two frequent themes in literature are the conflict between the individual and
society and the conflict between the individual and him or herself. From a work of
literature that you have read, select a character who struggles with society or with
him or herself. In a well-developed composition, describe the effects of the ongoing struggle on the character. Finally, explain why this character’s conflict
conveys an important message to you as a reader or to the world at large.
Begin with essential question:
How do the conflicts of a literary character help one understand and cope with
life’s issues?

Discuss & define the words in the question;

Discuss what conflict is

Discuss what life issues are… (theme)

How do these life issues relate to the characters in the text?
Characterization
1.
Define & explore characterization: how do authors reveal
character?

describe the character’s physical traits and personality

report the character’s speech and behavior

give the opinions and reactions of other characters toward this
individual

reveal the character’s thoughts and feelings
2.
Identify character traits & motivations with references to the
text. (see Reading & Writing Strategies -- PPS publication, green cover – for
numerous strategies or online at:
http://159.191.14.139/teachers.pps.k12.or.us/literacy/hsliteracy/reading.html.
Plot
1.
2.
Define Plot: rising action, conflict, resolution
Types of plot (person vs…)
3.
Plot chart – individual or group chart; see “plot line”, page 61-62 in
Reading & Writing Strategies.
Summarizing

While this essay does not require a summary (the student author should
assume that the audience has read the book), students must “by establish a
context for the discussion of the conflict and the character.”
Book summary includes: title, main character, setting, and plot – rising action,
conflict & resolution. 1 paragraph. 5-7 sentences; should include most important
details.
A two sentence summary looks like this:
_________(name of book) is about _________(main character’s name) who
________________________________(action taken to resolve conflict) for the
purpose of __________. (why struggle?)
In the climax s/he succeeds when _________________.
Teaching Essay writing/Expository writing

Paragraphing

Topic sentences

Specific details; explain how evidence proves thesis

How to write a thesis statement. What is the purpose of the
essay?

Write Source black binder has good lessons for paragraphing
and for character sketches
Writing the character essay
To be successful with this essay, students must:

Identify character traits and motivations

Identify an external or internal conflict and explain how the
character struggles with the conflict

Connect self or world to the conflict and the story’s message.
(KAR note: our essential question seems to focus more on the individual than the
world???)
Students can chose whether to focus on internal or external conflicts.
Question: can students choose to write about more than one conflict – one external
and one internal, two internal, three external, etc?
Opening paragraph





Engages the reader by establishing a context for the discussion of the
conflict and the character.
introduces book, conflict & character.
Provides enough information to put the character & conflict in context.
A book summary is not necessary.
Clearly articulated thesis statement. The thesis is the overriding umbrella for
the entire essay. It’s the writer’s opinion about the topic: what you (the writer)
will demonstrate/prove.
Body: 2nd – 4th paragraphs: characterization & how the character is
shaped/changed by the conflict. What caused the character to shift/change?
One possible method: choose major events in the story that cause the character to
change. For each event use at least two pieces of evidence; explain how the
evidence supports the topic sentence & thesis. Use different methods of
characterization throughout. Change can be subtle; often happens at the very end.
Conclusion: explain why the character’s conflict conveys an important message
(theme) to you as a reader or to the world at large.