Name ____________________________________________ Date ________________ Period ___________
“Everyday Use” Essay: Character Analysis prewriting
“Everyday Use” Essay Rubric and Scoring
20-16
15-11
10-6
5
0
Introduction
and Thesis
Statement
Effective introduction
of text, thesis, and the
structure of the
argument.
Adequate introduction
of thesis and the text or
thesis and structure but
not both.
Inadequate
introduction of the
thesis, text, or
structure
Little success with
introducing the thesis;
student allows thesis
to stand alone.
Thesis
statement is
not included.
Essay
Structure
Effectively organizes
essay into five
paragraphs with clear
claims and topic
sentences that refer
back to the thesis
Adequately organizes
essay into paragraphs
with topic sentences; all
supporting details are
logically placed, but
power claims/topic
sentences are missing.
Inadequately breaks
information into a
paragraph structure
whose vague topic
sentences fail to relate
to or support thesis
statement.
Little success in
demonstrating ability
to organize
information. Multiple
topics are discussed in
each paragraph.
No
organization
Organization
of Supporting
Details
Effectively organizes
textual evidence so that
it follows logical
progression and all
information is relevant
and supports the thesis.
All support is
introduced and
explained in a logical
fashion. Quotations are
embedded in the
paragraph effectively
as well as explained
Adequately supports
the argument with some
textual evidence that is
on topic and has a basic
organizational structure,
but it could be strained;
quotes are explained or
introduced, but not both.
Transitions are limited.
Inadequately
supports argument; all
information is
relevant to topic, but
no clear reason for the
choice of order for the
information. Little to
no transitions are
used, and argument
has holes in it.
Little success in
demonstrating ability
to organize support
for an argument. Only
has 2 or 3 textual
examples or textual
examples do not seem
to help the argument
in any way.
No support.
Argument
Development
Effectively explains
how the textual
evidence supports each
claim, and how each
claim proves the thesis
correct.
Adequately explains
how the textual
evidence supports the
thesis.
Inadequately
explains how the
textual evidence
supports the thesis;
tends to summarize.
Little success in
explaining the textual
evidence. Student
mostly leaves
evidence to stand
alone.
No
explanation.
Control of
Language
Effective control of
wide range of elements
of effective writing;
not flawless.
Adequate control of
language; some errors in
grammar and
punctuation but conveys
student ideas.
Inadequate control of
language; prose
conveys student ideas
but has numerous
errors.
Little success
controlling language;
it is difficult to
understand student
ideas.
Simplistic
use of
language;
can’t
understand.
1
Now, we need to find textual evidence (quotations!) to support every one of our paragraphs. We will start by
finding AT LEAST three quotes per paragraph. Remember, you can always get rid of a quote later if you don’t
like it. Find 6 quotes that help describe what type of person your character is and focus in on the conflicts in
which they are involved. Read the prompt below in its entirety first to guide you as you identify useful quotes.
Characterization
word
Quote
Explanation of quote
Pg.
#
Characterization Essay Components: THE THESIS
\
 Creating a strong thesis is essential when writing analytic essays. Essentially, a literary thesis examines how
an author advances a theme or message through literary elements. In an essay about a specific character, the
thesis should examine how the author uses a character’s actions, thoughts, words, feelings, beliefs, behaviors or
effects on others to portray a larger message.
 The order which the elements or ideas are presented in the thesis should be the same order in which they
are discussed in the essay.
  A characterization thesis must include:





The title of the novel, play, essay, poem, or drama
The author’s last name
An argument about an author’s intention, message, or theme
The character that the author uses to portray that message
The specific indirect characterization methods used
In the (title of work), (author) (A) the character of (B) through her (C, C, and C) to embody the role of
a __________(see examples in column D)_______________________.
B
A















Reveals
Exposes
Describes
Develops
Depicts
Illustrates
Portrays
Attacks
Critiques
Challenges
Comments on
Discusses
Explores
Suggests
Explains



Dee
Maggie
Mama
Example with 3 elements
In the novel The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne exposes the
hypocrisy of religion through Reverend Dimmesdale’s
actions, speech and beliefs.
C
D
Indirect
Characterization of a
specific character.
Examples:
*a pretentious young woman
who misunderstands the
legacy of her heritage.

Speech

Thoughts

Feelings

Beliefs

Effects on Others

Actions

Behavior
*a humble and dependent
young woman who…
*a mother struggling
with/to…
KEYS:
Be concise in this element of
the thesis.
Example with 1 element
In the novel Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky depicts the
creation and development of guilt through Raskolnikov’s
various actions throughout the novel.
Name
Date
Period
Example Essay Outline
Directions: Read the example essay and fill in this paper according to the example
Thesis: Choose a character and analyze how Arthur Miller used his or her words, thoughts, actions, or effect on
others to illustrate a larger idea or concept.
Example: In “Everyday Use”, Alice Walker develops Dee’s character using her speech, actions and effect on
others, to embody the role of a pretentious young who is disconnected from her heritage. (This can be written
several different ways, but you must have the types of indirect characterizations you will use in the essay in your
thesis)
Introductory paragraph
The hook (How will you interest the readers in your point?): _____________________________________________
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Your paper’s thesis: ________________________________________________________________________________
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Introduce the novel and preview the ideas that will be present in the essay. This will give a small synopsis of the
plot and how it relates to your character/characterization. ________________________________________________
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Body Paragraph #1
Transition from Introduction and state topic of paragraph and how it refers back to your thesis (two sentences):
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Introduction of the quote so it makes sense in the paragraph ______________________________________________
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The quotation and page number ______________________________________________________________________
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Your explanation of how quote #1 proves your topic sentence and therefore your thesis: _______________________
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Clincher (tie up your paragraph here): ________________________________________________________________
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Body Paragraph #2
Transition from Body Paragraph #1 and state topic of paragraph and how it refers back to your thesis:
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Introduction of the quote so it makes sense in the paragraph ______________________________________________
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The quotation and page number ______________________________________________________________________
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Your explanation of how quote #1 proves your topic sentence and therefore your thesis: _______________________
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Clincher (tie up your paragraph here): ________________________________________________________________
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Body Paragraph #3
Transition from Body Paragraph 3 and state topic of paragraph and how it refers back to your thesis:
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Introduction of the quote so it makes sense in the paragraph ______________________________________________
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The quotation and page number ______________________________________________________________________
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Your explanation of how quote #1 proves your topic sentence and therefore your thesis: _______________________
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Clincher (tie up your paragraph here): ________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________CONCLUSION______________________________________________
Transition and restate thesis in different words (two sentences): __________________________________________
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Show how your essay has proven your thesis: ___________________________________________________________
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Relate your topic to a broader idea or ask and answer a more general conceptual question, answer the question, So
What? What have you wanted to teach the reader through this essay? What can we take away from it? (Refer back
to the theme here.)
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