Sunrise over Fallujah – Character Essay
Characters in literature are representative of human beings and the human experience, especially the
inner self that motivates and determines our thoughts, behavior and speech. Characterization is the process
by which a writer reveals the personality of a character in a piece of writing. An author may use direct
characterization by explicitly telling us about a character. However, what a character does, says, observes and
feels (indirect characterization) also lead readers to make assumptions and to draw conclusions about a
character. While reading Sunrise over Fallujah, you were instructed to compile notes about the characterization of
Birdy, Marla, Jonesy and Captain Miller. You will now use those notes to write a five paragraph essay, analyzing one
of those characters.
Objectives:
Common Core Standards
Reading
Standard 1 – Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
Standard 2 – Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and
is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
Writing
Standard 4 – Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to task, purpose,
and audience.
Standard 5 – Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on
addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
Language
Standard 1 – Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing.
Standard 2 – Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Standard 3a – Write and edit work so that it conforms to the guidelines in a style manual (MLA Handbook) appropriate for the
discipline and writing type.
Learning Targets:
 Students will be able to analyze a character from Sunrise over Fallujah.
 Students will be able to support their analysis with relevant textual evidence.
 Students will be able to write a formal five-paragraph essay in MLA format.
Project Overview:
 Choose a character to analyze: Go over the character chart on which you have been noting examples of direct and
indirect characterization and select one that you feel you can analyze well.
 Use those notes and your novel to analyze the character’s personality traits, role in the story, motivations and
development (growth and change). Look at how the author used direct and indirect characterization to create the
character. You will also need to select direct quotations and paraphrase the author’s words into supporting
evidence in your analysis, using parenthetical citations. You need to use at least two direct quotations and one
paraphrase (but you may use more).
 Formulate a Thesis Statement
 Pre-Write: Create an outline or graphic organizer to plan your essay.
 Draft: First Draft Due: __________
 Revise
 Edit
 Final Draft Due: __________
Your final essay should:
a. Be written in the standard five-paragraph essay format (introduction, at least three body paragraphs that
illustrate the main points about the character, conclusion).
b. Include a thesis statement that focuses specifically on one of the main characters from the novel.
c. Include textual evidence (quotations and paraphrases) from the novel to support your analysis.
d. Be written as a formal essay (use formal language, with no personal pronouns).
e. Follow MLA formatting guidelines.
Name: _____________________________
Character Analysis Essay Rubric
Essay Element
1 – Minimal
Thesis and Preview
Statement
Topic is not clearly
stated in the introduction
Supporting Evidence /
Use of Quotes
Support is paraphrased
and oversimplified; may
demonstrate a
misreading of the text;
citations are missing or
do not follow MLA
guidelines
Organization
Organization is unclear;
no logical flow of ideas,
limited use of
transitions; unfocused
Mechanics
Spelling errors are
frequent; punctuation is
missing or incorrect;
frequent errors in
grammar and usage,
errors in capitalization
Revisions
Rough draft was
completed; writer made
some meaningful
revisions
MLA formatting
Writer incorrectly used
three of the MLA format
requirements
Score: __________ / 30
Comments:
2 – Basic
Topic is clearly stated in
the introduction, but not
in a formal thesis
statement. Preview is
missing
Essay may reveal a
minor misreading of the
text; support is mostly
paraphrased; MLA
formatting may be
erroneous or inconsistent
Organization is mostly
clear and logical, some
use of topic sentences
and transitions; essay is
unfocused at times
Spelling is usually
correct except on
difficult words; end
punctuation is usually
correct, internal
missing/wrong;
problems with
grammar/usage do not
distort meaning; major
editing needed
Rough Draft was
submitted on time for
peer revision. Writer
clearly put effort into
improving the essay,
tried new strategies to
strengthen focus, and did
not merely copy over the
final draft.
Writer incorrectly used
two of the MLA format
requirements
Score
3 - Proficient
4 - Advanced
Essay contains a thesis
and attempts a preview
statement.
Essay contains a clear
thesis statement and
adequately previews the
content of the essay
Essay reveals an
understanding of the
text; examples and direct
quotes are used
correctly; support is less
detailed, specific and
consistent; may contain
minor MLA formatting
errors
Essay reveals clear
understanding of the
text; examples and two
direct quotes are used
convincingly and clearly
explained; citations
follow MLA guidelines
perfectly
x2
Essay begins with an
introduction; each
paragraph begins with a
topic sentence and ends
with a transition
Essay begins with an
introduction; each
paragraph begins with a
topic sentence; logical
sequence of ideas;
related ideas grouped
appropriately; effective
transitions; clear
conclusion
x2
Spelling generally
correct; punctuation
correct, but basic;
grammar, usage,
capitalization,
paragraphing mostly
correct; some editing
needed
Great care taken with
spelling, punctuation,
capitalization,
paragraphing, grammar,
and usage
X
X
Writer incorrectly used
one of the four MLA
formatting requirements
Writer adhered to MLA
format in spacing,
headings, font and
margins