SCHERER | English 8B | Literature and Language

H#13Summative | Literature as Craft | Character Analysis

Name:
Period:
For our second summativ e on The Giver, the English 8B curriculum asks you to respond
to the follow ing prompt by w riting an analytical essay:
Analyze the significance of a character for the work as a whole.
I n other w ords, you must dev elop a thesis that explains how one character contributes
to the nov els ov erall meaning.
Rough Draft: _____________________________________
Due Date: _______________________________________
Deadline: _______________________________________
Here are four
more specific
questions you may choose from to answ er the abov e prompt. You may also dev elop
your ow n question/thesis about a character; how ever, you need to check w ith Ms.
Scherer first.
1. How does the author use Jonass father to rev eal that the community is truly a
dystopia?
2. How does the author use Jonass mother to epitomize/represent the communitys
rules?
3. How does the author use the Giv er to rev eal that the community is truly a
dystopia?
4. How does the author use the Giv er to emphasize the importance of familial lov e?
Your task is to develop a thesis and write an essay in response to the prompt. You may
choose to follow the Fiv e Paragraph Essay formula (B paper) or push yourself to w rite a
Premise-Based Argument (A paper).
A Five-Paragraph Essay thesis statement w ould use the follow ing format:
[Character]

is important to the novel because A, B, and C.

This style of paper could earn you up to a B.

A Premise-Based thesis statement might use the follow ing format:

Lois Lowry uses

[character]

This style of paper could earn you up to an A.

to

[description of purpose].

Score:

SCHERER | English 8B | Literature and Language

H#13Summative | Literature as Craft | Character Analysis

Name:

Period:

I will use the rubric below to assess your final draft. Read over it and make sure you can answer yes to all the
questions before you hand it in.
Criteria
Essay Organization
Does your essay include an introduction, 3 body
paragraphs, and a conclusion?
Does your introduction include the title, author, a
brief summary OR introduction to the topic, and a
thesis statement?
Did you develop a strong, complex thesis that
shows insight into one characters significance to
the novel as a whole?
Does your conclusion restate the thesis, summarize
the ideas in your essay and answer the question So
What?
Meets: Did you follow the Five-Paragraph formula?
Exceeds: Did you craft a Premise-Based Argument?
Body Paragraphs
Does each body paragraph address one
topic/reason that supports your thesis?
Does each body paragraph include a topic
sentence, two quote sandwiches and a
concluding sentence?
Do your quote explanations go beyond summary to
show HOW the quote supports the claim?
Meets: Did you choose two strong and relevant
quotes to support each topic sentence?
Exceeds: Do the two quotes in each paragraph
build on one another?
Mechanics
Is your essay written in the third person?
Is your essay written in present tense?
Is your essay free of typing errors and grammar or
spelling mistakes that interfere with
comprehension?
Are your quotes properly cited?
Is your final draft typed using 12 pt. double spaced
Times New Roman OR written neatly in pen?

Approaches
the Standard

Meets the
Standard

Exceeds the
Standard

Comments

My essay was turned in:

on time
late (-3 pts)

30

SCHERER | English 8B | Literature and Language

H#13Summative | Literature as Craft | Essay Graphic Organizers

For a B paper
The Five-Paragraph Essay
Introduction Paragraph

Thesis:

Body A
Topic Sentence:

Body B
Topic Sentence:

Body C
Topic Sentence:

Quote #1:

Quote #1:

Quote #1:

Quote #2:

Quote #2:

Quote #2:

Conclusion Paragraph

SCHERER | English 8B | Literature and Language

H#13Summative | Literature as Craft | Essay Graphic Organizers
Name:
Period:
Use one of these graphic organizers to help you plan out your essay!

For an A paper (PICK ME!!!)

The Premise-Based Argument
Introduction Paragraph

Thesis:

Body A: Topic Sentence:

Quote #1:

Quote#2:

Body B: Topic Sentence:

Quote #1:

Quote#2:

Body C: Topic Sentence:

Quote #1:

Quote#2:

Conclusion Paragraph