“The Scarlet Ibis”Character Analysis

Assignment

• Write a three paragraph character analysis paper. Choose which character you want to analyze: Doodle or Brother. Once you have chosen a character, decide what one character trait you want to focus on.

A Strong character analysis will…

1. Identify the type of character (protagonist/antagonist/dynamic/static)

2. Describe the character3. Discuss the conflict in the story, particularly

in regards to the character’s role in it.

Grading Expectation

• Your paper will be graded based on the criteria for success.

• Paper must be typed and have proper formatting, which includes MLA heading & double-spacing.

• Be sure to avoid all use of the first person and second person pronouns (I, me, my, you, your).

• Your paper is not about “The Scarlet Ibis”; it is about a character. When writing about literature, try to keep the paper in present tense. (For example, say “Doodle walks closely behind his brother, “ NOT “Doodle walked closely behind his brother.”

Detailed Criteria for Success!

Introduction (Paragraph 1)

When writing an introduction, follow ANT.Attention getter – get the reader’s attention. This

must be relevant to the main topic of your essay.Fact or statisticRelevant quote from the storyRelevant quote from an outside sourceShocking or amusing generalization

Introduction (Paragraph 1)

Necessary Information:Author’s full name: James HurstTitle of story: “The Scarlet Ibis” Brief plot summary – in 2-5 sentences briefly

highlight the major conflict of the story. Make sure to include the two main character’s names.

Introduction (Paragraph 1)

Thesis: This should be the last sentence of the introduction paragraph. The thesis should make it clear what character trait you are concentrating on and how this character trait affects the action in the story.Example: In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, the

protagonist Scrooge is portrayed as a cold-hearted individual through the details given throughout the story.

Body Paragraph(Paragraph 2)

Body paragraphs should follow TIAQ, and should be 6-8 sentences long.

Topic Sentence: TRANSITION, then a sentence that declares the focus of your paragraph, which would be the character trait you wish to discuss.

Body Paragraph(Paragraph 2)

Body paragraphs should follow TIAQ, and should be 6-8 sentences long.

Topic Sentence: TRANSITION, then a sentence that declares the focus of your paragraph, which would be the character trait you wish to discuss.

Body Paragraph(Paragraph 2)

Introduce Quote: Give some context to the quote. If someone is speaking the quote, you should tell your reader who is talking. Example: As Brother remembers the last time he walked home

from Old Woman Swamp with Doodle, he tells the reader, “…” (5).

Quote: Provide a quote that supports the topic sentence.Analysis: After the quote, spend about 1 to 2 sentences discussing

how this quote proves that the character has this trait.*You must provide 2 quotes. Use a transition into a second quote for

support.Example: Another time the reader sees Doodle’s _____ is when he…

Conclusion(Paragraph 3)

Reword your thesis. (Begin with transition: thus, therefore, in short, etc.)

Tie all your points together. Then in 1-3 sentences, tell your reader the significance or importance of the ideas you have been analyzing. What should a reader learn from this character’s traits? (Warning: do not use “you”.)

Clincher: End your paper with a short sentence that reinforces your argument. This last sentence should try to include some words from your attention-getter. This gives a sense of closure to your paper.