ESSAY ASSIGNMENT FOR \u201cCall My Name\u201d<\/p>\n
You will write a character analysis essay of the protagonist in Aimee Bender\u2019s short story, \u201cCall My Name.\u201d The goal is to speculate and give the reader information about the character with such insight that the reader is transformed into the mind of the character (you are enabling empathy). <\/p>\n
This information is not provided in the story \u2013 you are required to tell your reader what kind of person the protagonist really is, what her character traits are, what she is motivated by, and what she truly seeks. USE THE STORY TO ILLUSTRATE YOUR JUDGMENTS! Do NOT recount PLOT. <\/p>\n
Your essay will be a MINIMUM of 3 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman font (not Arial!), 12 point font, no space btwn paragraphs, no wide margins, etc. Enlarge your text in anyway, you lose a grade!<\/p>\n
1. The introductory paragraph introduces the subject. This is a central insight or thesis statement that includes the important character traits (behavior, personality) of the subject, which will be given towards the end of the paragraph. In this case, your thesis will offer your speculation of what type of person the protagonist is (including her traits). <\/p>\n
2. The body paragraphs each have a topic sentence. A topic sentence is basically a statement that portrays a particular trait, which will be discussed in greater detail, in that paragraph.<\/p>\n
3. Each paragraph includes sufficient detail about the experiences, and such, that support the trait being discussed. These are the most interesting things about the character, which captivate and involve the reader.<\/p>\n
4. The essay will finalize much like it began, with a focused comment about the most important character traits that have been developed and supported throughout the entire essay.<\/p>\n
NOTE WELL:<\/p>\n
A thesis is the main idea that you are trying to convey in your work. It states plainly what you are trying to persuade your reader to believe about the character \u2013 your judgment of her. Therefore, a thesis cannot be a simple statement of fact, because a statement of fact does not require persuasive argument. You are expected to speculate about her motivations and why she does what she does; this is your argument about her character. What kind of person is she? You will characterize her based on her behaviors and what she says in the story (as well as how others treat her)!<\/p>\n
Example of a fact in a literary paper: \u201cIn The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne struggles to understand her daughter Pearl\u2019s strange behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n
Example of a thesis in a literary paper: \u201cIn The Scarlet Letter, Pearl may appear to be a living embodiment of Hester\u2019s sin, but her ultimate fate suggests that she is an embodiment of true love, and that her only flaws are caused by her father\u2019s refusal to claim her.\u201d <\/p>\n
DO NOT SUMMARIZE PLOT. You can \u2014 and indeed to do a good job on this paper, you must \u2014 assume that anyone reading your paper has already read the story or book you are writing about. Therefore, you should not engage in any plot summary, nor do you need to follow the events of the story in any particular order. If you need to quote to illustrate a point, simply refer to a specific scene in a few words, and then quote the brief passage you think is relevant.<\/p>\n
Questions To Help With Character Analysis <\/p>\n
Does the protagonist simply want sex? Does she really want love or is she just replacing her daddy? That’s the surface, but there’s more \u2013 it’s too dismissive to just say she wants love, she wants a father figure, etc. <\/p>\n
She’s fairly bold and aggressive in her search as well — what else does that say about her as a person\/character?<\/p>\n
How does she treats others, what does she expect of them, what does she use to put people in their place (money, status, sexuality, etc?)? How does she try to control others? <\/p>\n
What language is used around her “wanting sex”? (It is never said explicity in her thoughts or narration \u2013 only in the dialogue with the guy primarily). You can see her much more closely if you analyze the language her character uses. <\/p>\n
Further, work through a sense of the guy \u2013 he’s not just your average run of the mill dude. How does he *really* see her? Does he ever see pain or need and respond in a way that could be called kindness? <\/p>\n
What is this man’s position in life? Why doesn’t he ask her to leave? Does he care about her? Does he find her tedious? Does he give her what she wants (beyond sex)? Is there a connection between the symbolic hook and this man having it? Does he behave in a fatherly manner ever?<\/p>\n
ADDITIONAL HELP<\/p>\n
Introduction Paragraph<\/p>\n
1.) Hook (1-3 sentences)\u2014The hook grabs the reader\u2019s attention and makes the reader want to read more.<\/p>\n
2.) Transition (1-3 sentences)\u2014The transition takes the reader from your hook (your attention getter) to your lead.<\/p>\n
3.) Lead Statement (1 sentence)\u2014The lead statement cites the author and text to be discussed and makes a general point which leads directly into the thesis statement.<\/p>\n
4.) Thesis Statement (1-2 sentences)\u2014The thesis statement is your opinion, evaluation, or \u201cstand\u201d on a specific topic. A thesis statement must be proven throughout your essay\u2014it is what \u201cdrives\u201d your essay.<\/p>\n
Example<\/p>\n
Hook: Do you ever find yourself talking to your dog? Sure! We all talk to our dogs! What if your dog answered you back in almost perfect English?<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Transition: \u201cImagine a dog that understood and spoke English, solved mysteries by accident and would do anything for a special snack. There is such a dog! He is a cartoon character named Scooby Doo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Lead (must refer to title and author): \u201cIn the biography Scooby Steals our Hearts by Juana Besomebody, we learn how the cartoon character Scooby Doo engages audiences of all ages.\u201d<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Thesis Statement: \u201cScooby Doo is a fascinating, altruistic cartoon character who seeks to help everyone he meets because he understands and speaks English, solves mysteries by accident, and is often selfless in his attempts to assist others.\u201d<\/p>\n
Body Paragraphs \u2013 Brief Example<\/p>\n
Paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 will be supportive paragraphs. Each of these paragraphs will begin with a topic sentence that states the one main idea or point being made in that paragraph which supports the thesis statement. The topic sentence will be followed by specific examples that support your topic sentence which in turn supports your thesis statement.<\/p>\n
Three Example Body Paragraphs<\/p>\n
Situation or Point # 1 — Speaks\/Understands English<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Topic Sentence: Scooby Doo delights audiences of all ages because he understands and speaks English.<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Example: understands Shaggy and speaks to him in \u201cMystery at the Amusement Park.\u201d<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Example: understands Velma in \u201cMystery in Venezuela\u201d<\/p>\n
Situation or Point #2 — Solves Mysteries by Accident<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Topic Sentence: Scooby Doo is a fascinating cartoon character because he can solve mysteries even though he\u2019s a dog. Audiences laugh out loud because he often solves the mysteries by accident while all the humans around him are stumped!<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Example: solved mystery when he fell on the thief in \u201cThe Cotton Candy Glob\u201d \uf0b7 <\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Example: solved mystery when he got onto the wrong plane in \u201cMexico Mystery\u201d<\/p>\n
Situation or Point # 3 — Does Anything for Scooby Snack<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Topic Sentence: Scooby is fascinating to all audiences because he will do anything for a Scooby snack.<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Ex: Scooby went into a haunted house just for a Scooby Snack in \u201cThe Haunted House on Halloween.\u201d<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Ex: Scooby was willing to take on monsters for Scooby Snacks in \u201cMonster Mountain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/p>\n
The final paragraph will be the conclusion. First, the thesis will be restated. Then the conclusion will briefly summarize the points made in paragraphs 2, 3 & 4. Think of writing a separate sentence to summarize each of the three body paragraphs (at least three sentences of summary). <\/p>\n
Finally, the conclusion will end with a general statement about the significance this person had in the world. The rough draft needs to typed double-spaced.<\/p>\n
Sample Conclusion Outline<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Restate Thesis: Scooby Doo is a fascinating cartoon character because he understands and speaks English, solves mysteries by accident and will do anything for a Scooby snack.<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Summarize Points #1, #2 & #3<\/p>\n
\uf0b7 Significance: (State why this lesson\/achievement\/characteristic is important to the general world) — Scooby is important because he helps both young and old laugh. Laughter is what life is all about.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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