The Character Analysis Essay

1. The Character Analysis Essay Part Two of Three

2. Body Paragraph Blueprint • TOPIC SENTENCE • Introduction of text evidence #1, text evidence, parenthetical reference • EXPLANATION of text evidence as it relates to and supports your topic sentence. • Introduction of text evidence #2, text evidence, parenthetical reference • EXPLANATION of text evidence as it relates to and supports your topic sentence. • Introduction of text evidence #3, text evidence, parenthetical reference • EXPLANATION of text evidence as it relates to and supports your topic sentence.

3. Details… • Your evidence should come from throughout the novel. • Try to include a quote from the first reading section, the middle portion of the novel and something from the last few chapters. • This shows the reader that this trait is consistent throughout the novel.

4. Topic Sentence • Each body paragraph begins with a TOPIC SENTENCE. • A topic sentence should state the character’s name and the character trait that will be discussed in the paragraph. Most topic sentences are relatively short and to the point. • Talon struggles with his sense of loyalty throughout the novel.* • Talon is a very curious individual. *this is the topic sentence that is used for the remainder of the examples in this power point

5. Text Evidence • For each body paragraph, you should have 3-4 pieces of text evidence. • For each piece of text evidence, you should introduce the evidence by giving some background or context to the quote. • For example: Talon is faced with a difficult decision when he realizes that his sister’s health depends on him getting medicine from the Topside. (this information “sets up” the quote by reminding the reader of the context of what is happening prior to the quote)

6. Text Evidence – Two types • Direct Quotation – write the text evidence exactly as it is stated in the text and provide the page number. You should have quotation marks around the exact words from the text. Direct quotes are typically used for short passages – less than 3 sentences. • Paraphrase – the summary an event or conversation. You will provide the page number(s) but would not use quotation marks. Paraphrasing is typically used for passages between ½ – 1 page in length. Paraphrases should NOT be used for more than 1 ½ pages of text.

7. Text Evidence • After the introduction of text evidence, either include a direct quote or paraphrase. • At the end of the sentence, include your parenthetical reference. • Open parenthesis > author’s last name > comma> page number > close parenthesis • Example: “Talon shook his head. There were some Downside rules even Talon would not break.” (Shusterman, 44)

8. Explanation of Evidence • Immediately following the text evidence, you must explain why you feel this evidence supports your topic sentence. Relate the evidence back to the character trait. • Example: Talon wants to help save his sister’s life, but he knows that in order to do this, he must break one of the biggest rules of the Downside. Talon must decide if his loyalty lies with his family or with his society.

9. It’s an assembly line… • Now, introduce a new quote, state the direct quote or paraphrase and explain the quote. • Do it one more time! • Topic sentence, quote intro, quote, explanation, quote intro, quote, explanation, quote intro, quote, explanation. • The next slide is an example of the FIRST 1/3 of a body paragraph. To be complete, I would need to include two more quote introductions, quotes and explanations. The final slide includes a complete example of a body paragraph.

10. Putting it altogether Talon struggles with his sense of loyalty throughout the novel. He is faced with a difficult decision when he realizes that his sister’s health depends on him getting medicine from the Topside. “Talon shook his head. There were some Downside rules even Talon would not break.” (Shusterman, 44). Talon wants to help save his sister’s life, but he knows that in order to do this, he must break one of the biggest rules of the Downside. Talon must decide if his loyalty lies with his family or with his society.

11. One entire body paragraph Talon struggles with his sense of loyalty throughout the novel. He is faced with a difficult decision when he realizes that his sister’s health depends on him getting medicine from the Topside. “Talon shook his head. There were some Downside rules even Talon would not break.” (Shusterman, 44). Talon wants to help save his sister’s life, but he knows that in order to do this, he must break one of the biggest rules of the Downside. Talon must decide if his loyalty lies with his family or with his society. Another example of Talon’s conflicting loyalties occurs when he is faced with the choice of saving his new friend, Lindsay, from an oncoming bus or protecting the secret of the Downside.“It was the horror in Talon’s eyes that made Lindsay panic… Talon gripped her tightly under her armpits…And then he tugged on her three times until her hips finally squeezed through and she fell headfirst into the five-foot-high concrete chamber” (Shusterman, 74). Talon’s loyalty to his friend overrides the loyalty to his secret society. In both situations, Talon chooses to be loyal to people close to him instead of to the larger society in which he lives. At the end of the novel after Talon’s actions have caused the downfall of the Downsiders, Talon is faced with yet another conflict of loyalties. Lindsay has given Talon the background information that explains the origins of the Downside and Talon must decide whether to reveal the secret (Shusterman, 209-210). Talon finally realizes that he must honor his society and be loyal to the keeping of their secret, no matter what the personal cost. This sacrifice of his friendships with Lindsay and the Champ are a small price to pay for the protection of his people. *Key Red – Topic SentenceGreen – Intro of quote Purple – Quote/Paraphrase Black – explanation of quote