Who Am I?
High school has always been a time of defining yourself.
How are you different from your parents and
grandparents? What sets YOU apart from everyone else?
Friends, family, school, and religion all play a critical
role. You’re making decisions, experiencing events that
can significantly change your life and help to develop
your faith and character. Yet so often, you can feel alone
in this process, or misunderstood.
These thoughts and experiences are pivotal, and have always been prominent in literature,
both the Jewish and Christian Bibles, and psychological literature. Many great novels are
written in a literary form called a bildungsroman, which is a German term meaning a
“novel of formation” or a “novel of education.” These “coming of age” stories focus on
the young protagonist’s journey to self-discovery, narrating experiences that have
significant impact. Great Expectations and To Kill a Mockingbird are two of the more
popular novels in this literary form.
What’s your story, or, as Jung would say, your ‘personal myth’? Write a collection of
essays, giving voice to your present, on-going journey to mature selfhood. You can use
several pieces of classic literature, contemporary literature, or movie as a basis for
comparison and analysis. You are also expected to ground your explanations by using
the various psychological terms explored so far in class.You’ll share your writing with
peers, and read some of their work, to trade valuable feedback on your writing and
reflective process.
One key goal is for your final product to help you know yourself better; it should be
something you can share with parents, siblings, or peers to help them see who you are
becoming. And you’ll have joined the ranks of authors and artists who vividly illustrate
this powerful passage from adolescence.
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Other Examples of Bildungsroman
Siddhartha – Herman Hesse
Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora
Neale Hurston
The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseni
Invisible Man – Ralph Ellison
The Autobiography of Malcolm X –
Malcolm X with Alex Haley
Song of Solomon – Toni Morrison
The Catcher in the Rye – J.D. Salinger
Black Boy – Richard Wright
Tasks:
1. Persuasive Essay- Is it possible to “discover” oneself, or are we always in a process of
“becoming?” – use the Persuasive Writing Brainstorm to plan your essay. When essay is
completed, students will share their perspectives in small groups.
2. Character Analysis Essay/Characterization Brainstorm – Choose a character from one of the
novels to examine more closely. What is the character like in the beginning of the novel, and
how does the character change over time? In what ways do you identify with this character? Use
the Character Notes Sheet and the Character Analysis Brainstorm to plan your essay. Students
can share their analysis with an adult in school or at home and return with another perspective on
their essay.
3. Consider the importance of positive mentoring relationships and role models. Identify an
archetypal character in a novel and write an editorial about finding and developing a relationship
with a role model or finding someone to emulate. Use the archetype you chose as an example.
Skills Practiced:
Analyze - Drawing Conclusions
Persuasive Essay Writing
Analyze - Characterization
Plan – Brainstorming
Public Speaking
Literary Terms to Define
Archetype
Character
Self
Shadow
Calling
Dynamic Character
Static Character
Motivation
Bildungsroman
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Task #1 for “Who Am I?”
Format & Mechanics
Persuasive Elements
Literature /Movie
Connections
Content
Is it possible to “discover” oneself, or are we always in a process of “becoming?” Write a persuasive
essay that answers this question, using examples from the novel.
Who Am I? Persuasive Essay Rubric
Novice
Apprentice
Practitioner
 position is stated  position is stated
 position is clearly stated
 1 argument
 2 arguments
3 or more research-based
supporting position supporting position
arguments supporting
1 real-life or
1 real-life or personal position
personal anecdote
anecdote
*3 or more psychological
terms from Freud or Jung
2 or more real-life or
personal anecdotes
references 2
references 2 events or references 3 events or
events or characters characters from the
characters from your selected
from the novel to
novel to illustrate point novel or movie to illustrate
illustrate point
 specific quote and
point
page number given for
 specific quote and page
one reference
number given for each
all references support reference
the stated position
all references directly
support the stated position
utilizes 2
utilizes 3-4 persuasive
utilizes 5-6 of the following
persuasive
techniques from the
persuasive techniques
techniques from the Practitioner column
 Emotional appeal
Practitioner
 Rhetorical question
column
 Analogy
 Hyperbole
 Association
 Irony
2 typed pages
demonstrates an
adequate command
of written language
creative title
2 typed pages
demonstrates an
adequate command of
written language
at least 1 peer edited
draft
creative title that
reflects the essay
content
3 typed pages
demonstrates a strong
command of written
language
voice & tone appropriate
for audience
at least 2 peer edited drafts
creative title that reflects
the essay content
Expert
all of Practitioner,
plus hyperlinking
document with links
to online resources
all of Practitioner
plus references to
other events or
characters in
bildungsroman
literature
utilizes all of the
persuasive
techniques from the
Practitioner column
all of Practitioner
plus:
6+ paragraphs
reference page is
included with
suggestions for
further reading on
the topic
Modified from copyrighted material of IDE Corp. © 2007, www.idecorp.com. Permission to duplicate for registered users of the IDEportal only. 201 934 5005
Modified from copyrighted material of IDE Corp. © 2007, www.idecorp.com. Permission to duplicate for registered users of the IDEportal only. 201 934 5005
Task #2 for “Who Am I?”
Choose a character from your selected novel and analyze his or her personality.
What makes this character “tick?” What are his or her motivations? What are her
strengths and weaknesses? How does the character affect the plot, and how is the
character changed by the events in the novel? Write a character analysis essay that
answers these questions. Be sure to use your notes from the Character Notes Sheet
and the Character Analysis Brainstorm.
Content
Format & Mechanics
Characterization
Essay
Who Am I? Character Analysis Essay Rubric
Novice
 thesis statement has
a clearly identified
character as its subject
opening paragraph
lets the reader know
what will be discussed
body paragraphs
exist
conclusion reader of
the focus and sums up
the main points
Apprentice
 thesis statement has a
clearly identified
character as its subject
opening paragraph lets
the reader know what will
be discussed
body paragraphs are
organized
conclusion reminds the
reader of the focus, sums
up points, and draws a
thoughtful conclusion
 1 page description
includes all of the
following:
 name
 appearance
 actions
opinion of the
character
 1-2 page description
includes all of the
following:
 name
 appearance
 thoughts
 actions
 words
 opinion of the
character
 description of how the
character is changed by
the events in the story
2 typed pages
demonstrates an
adequate command of
written language
creative title
2 typed pages
demonstrates an
adequate command of
written language
1 peer edited draft
creative title that
reflects the essay content
Practitioner
 thesis statement has a clearly
identified character as its
subject and identifies specific
character traits
opening paragraph(s) lets the
reader know what will be
discussed in the essay
body paragraphs are
organized and transitional
words and phrases are used for
flow
conclusion reminds the reader
of the focus, sums up points,
draws a thoughtful conclusion,
and offers an insightful
observation
 1-2 page description includes
all of the following:
 name
 appearance
 thoughts
 actions
 words
 what other characters say
about him/her
 opinion of the character
*Makes use of at least 3
psychological terms covered in
class
 description of how the
character is changed by the
events in the story
 3+ typed pages
demonstrates a strong
command of written language
voice & tone appropriate for
audience
2 peer edited drafts
creative title that reflects the
essay content
Expert
all of Practitioner
plus gives
suggestions for
further exploration or
research
all of Practitioner
plus compares and
contrasts character
with another
character from a
different novel
all of Practitioner
plus:
5+ pages
reference page is
included with list of
other novels with
similar characters,
with a brief
description of each
Modified from copyrighted material of IDE Corp. © 2007, www.idecorp.com. Permission to duplicate for registered users of the IDEportal only. 201 934 5005
Modified from copyrighted material of IDE Corp. © 2007, www.idecorp.com. Permission to duplicate for registered users of the IDEportal only. 201 934 5005
Task #3 for “Who Am I?”
Writing Process
Consider the importance of positive mentoring relationships and role models. Identify an
archetypal character in a novel, and write an editorial about finding and developing a
relationship with a role model or finding someone to emulate. Use the archetype you chose
as an example.
Novice
published assignment
addresses the following
steps of the writing
process:
 Prewriting
 Editing
 position
Content
on
mentoring and role
models is stated
 2 examples from
literature supporting
position
Format & Mechanics
2
components from
How to Write an
Editorial
 demonstrates
difficulty with
written language
Who Am I? Editorial Rubric
Apprentice
Practitioner
published assignment
published assignment
addresses the following addresses all steps of the
steps of the writing
writing process:
process:
 Prewriting
 Prewriting
 Drafting
 Drafting
 Reviewing
 Editing
 Editing
 position on
 References and applies
mentoring and role
at least 3 psychological
models is stated
terms/concepts covered
 2 examples from
in class
literature supporting  position on mentoring
position
and role models is
 reasons why citizens
clearly stated
can get involved
 3+ examples from
literature supporting
position
 reasons why and
suggestions about how
citizens can get involved
 3 components from
 all components from
How to Write an
How to Write an
Editorial
Editorial
 1 peer edited draft
 appropriate voice and
 demonstrates an
tone for a newspaper
adequate command
audience
of written language
 2 peer edited drafts
 demonstrates a strong
command of written
language
Expert
all of Practitioner,
plus published to
an online
publishing site (see
resources page)
all of Practitioner,
plus researchbased arguments
for promoting
mentoring
relationships (see
resources page)
all of Practitioner,
plus
 writing uses
sophisticated
sentence
structure and
utilizes SAT
vocabulary
 suggestions for
further reading
are found at the
end of editorial
Modified from copyrighted material of IDE Corp. © 2007, www.idecorp.com. Permission to duplicate for registered users of the IDEportal only. 201 934 5005
Who Am I?
“Who Am I?” is a Language Arts unit targeting grades 912. The topic can also be modified to address topics
discussed in Social Studies or Civics. The unit is
designed to take 4-6 weeks. Students should be given the
opportunity to read more than one novel in this genre in
order to draw logical conclusions about the topic. This
unit can be used to practice standardized testing skills
such as brainstorming, persuasive writing, drawing
conclusions/inferences, and character analysis. In
addition, students can begin to discuss and
identify an author’s tone, voice, and
purpose.
National Language Arts/English Skills Addressed in this Unit
NL-ENG.K-12.1 READING FOR PERSPECTIVE
NL-ENG.K-12.2 READING FOR UNDERSTANDING
NL-ENG.K-12.6 APPLYING KNOWLEDGE
NL-ENG.K-12.7 EVALUATING DATA
NL-ENG.K-12.8 DEVELOPING RESEARCH SKILLS
NL-ENG.K-12.11 PARTICIPATING IN SOCIETY
NL-ENG.K-12.12 APPLYING LANGUAGE SKILLS
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Character Notes Sheet for “Who Am I?”
Back to Top
Use this sheet to take notes as you read. At this stage you are gathering information for your
brainstorming, prewriting, and eventual essay. You can focus on one character or choose two. When
you begin the writing process, you will choose only one character.
CHARACTER NAME: _________________________________________________
CHARACTER NAME: _________________________________________________
In the boxes below, write down any notes about what the character says, what the character does, what
others say about the character, and the character’s physical appearance.
Character’s Name & Direct Quotation,
Other Character’s Comments, Character’s
Actions, or Physical Description
Page
#
Thoughts about how this contributes to the
plot and what you might infer about the
character
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Reading Schedule for “Who Am I?”
Create a reading schedule for yourself based on the length of the book and the time in which
you plan to complete your reading. Track your completion of each section, and revise your
schedule as needed.
Book Title:
Date
Author:
Goal
Pages Completed
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Activity List for “Who Am I?”
Required:
 Use the “Reading Schedule” to create a schedule for yourself.
 Read and discuss selected novels (this can be done as a whole class or in small
literature circles)
 Define Literary Terms using the Literary Terms chart
 Attend Book Talk mini-lessons
 Complete “Character Notes Sheet”
 Complete “Character Analysis Brainstorm”
 Review the Web sites listed in the Writing Resources section
 Complete Persuasive Essay
 Complete Character Analysis Essay
 Complete Editorial
 Publish Editorial online
 Complete peer editing using the Insert Comment and Track Changes features in MS
Word (See How-To sheets on the IDEportal)
 Take required quizzes and tests
 Use your state Holistic Scoring Rubrics to self-assess your essays
Enrichment:
 Watch a DVD of the book you chose
 Listen to selected chapters of your book on tape and take notes as you listen
 Review Web sites on the Resources list
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Resources for “ Who am I?”
Back to: Task #1
Task #2
Task #3
Online Publishing Resources
1. Cyberteens - http://www.cyberteens.com/
2. Kidpub - http://www.kidpub.org/kidpub/
3. ZuZu - http://www.zuzu.org/
Resources about Mentoring
1. Mentoring.org - http://www.mentoring.org/
2. Big Brothers Big Sisters http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.diJKKYPLJvH/b.1539751/k.BDB6/Home.htm
3. America’s Promise Alliance - http://www.americaspromise.org/
Writing Resources
1. Persuasive Techniques http://gci.wrdsb.on.ca/library/assignments/English/persuasive_tech.htm
2. Hints for Writing an Editorial - http://www.howtodothings.com/hobbies/a4439-how-to-write-aneditorial.html
Books on DVD
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Siddhartha
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Malcolm X
To Kill a Mockingbird
Great Expectations
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Character Analysis Brainstorm for “Who Am I?”
Back to Top
What the Character Says
What the Character Does
What Others Say About the Character
How the Character Looks & Feels
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Literary Terms
Literary Term
Definition
Written Example from Novel
Visual Example from Novel
(Draw a picture that will help you
remember the definition and example.)
Archetype
Character
Characterization
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Literary Term
Definition
Written Example from Novel
Visual Example from Novel
(Draw a picture that will help you
remember the definition and example.)
Dynamic
Character
Static Character
Motivation
Bildungsroman
Modified from copyrighted material of IDE Corp. © 2007, www.idecorp.com. Permission to duplicate for registered users of the IDEportal only. 201 934 5005