Writing the Character Analysis

Fun and Games in AP English

Your purposeYour paper should answer this question:

How did the author create the character and for what purpose?

Hint: The purpose is always attached to overall

meaning of the text.

First stepsExamine the 4 specific ways writers give us

information about their character’s personality and annotate as you discover this. Notes you took both during reading and during your classmates’ presentation should make this easy (as far as AP things go, at least)!

1. What the characters themselves say and think2. What the characters do3. What other characters say about them4. What the author (speaking as narrator) says

about them

ANNOTATE these aspects too…Choice and character: the choices we

make say something about us tooCharacter and completeness: pay

attention to every action and every speech — these create a total picture of a person in literature

Character traits: note major and minor traits

Appearance and action: work from the outside to the inside

Change and development: always consider the implications of this

Don’t forget the narrative techniques and resources of language used to create character. For example…Watch for the author’s use of the details that

surround his/her character: Mr. William’s ten volumes of How to Destroy your Enemies and his Mont Blanc pen

Watch for the author’s use of imagery in connection to his/her character: The color imagery that Alexie associates with Roman

Consider symbols the author uses in connection to his/her character: Miss Emily’s “invisible watch ticking at the end of the gold chain” that vanished into her belt

Don’t forget diction, syntax, and other ROLs that help to create the character.

AND THIS…MOST IMPORTANTLY….

How do these observations about your character support MEANING (the overall message of the work)?

The key to successThe most successful analytical essays

result from careful and complete analysis…well, duh!

Success comes from the work you do before you write!

So where do I start?1. Annotate for characterization

techniques and resources of language.2. If you find yourself struggling, consider

using the Character Analysis Chart. This will help keep your thoughts organized!

3. Key ideas should begin to surface through this process.

After the analysisLook for a pattern in your annotations

and subsequent speculations about their significance.

Remember your focus and purpose in writing

1. How did the author create the character?

2. How does the character support the theme of the story?

Craft your thesis.

Your thesis: Try to answer both questions in a single statement.

Through the character’s own thoughts and deeds, visual imagery and symbolism, Steinbeck created Elisa as a representation of the feminist struggle.

While Oates dedicated her story to Bob Dylan, the story is really Connie’s story, a character Oates developed through outward details and personal conflicts, as well as contrasting diction, to represent the broader issue of the 1960s generation gap.

Get ready to write!Once you have your thesis, start drafting!Suggested structure of your paper:

1. Introduction: opening invitation with thesis at the end. Be sure to name the story in the introduction! Hint: “The Lottery” (notice proper identification of the title)

2. Body: well-developed with apt textual references and complete explanations3. Include parenthetical citations (ex: Cather 14). 4. Conclusion: start with a statement similar to your thesis followed by elaboration – maybe a comment on the life-like quality of your character or your appreciation of him/her

Due dates:Annotations of your text should be complete

by Tuesday, January 27th. Evidence gathered / essay organized by

Monday, February 2nd (not for any sort of check by me – this is just a guidepost for you)

A completed draft is due Friday, February 6th (I will check this).

Conferences (optional) will be held outside of class from Friday, February 6th, through Monday, February 16th. Note: I will only conference on completed drafts.

Final draft is due Wednesday, February 18th.

Follow these instructions and we’ll both be…