Character Analysis Outline

Name
Character Analysis Prewrite
I. Introduction
a. Hook your reader into your paper. Choose an introductory technique.
b. BRIEFLY introduce the character you’ve chosen.
c. Thesis: one sentence that explains which character traits you will discuss
II. Body Paragraph #1 Trait__________________________________
a. CLAIM/Topic Sentence: What are you trying to prove What aspect of your character
are you discussing
b. EVIDENCE/Concrete Detail - Direct or Indirect Quote with page number and/or
description from the text. Support your claim.
c. COMMENTARY #1-How does your evidence/quote clearly prove your claim
d. COMMENTARY #2-How does your evidence/quote clearly prove your claim
f. CONCLUDING SENTENCE-Restate, don’t repeat your claim/topic sentence
III. Body Paragraph #2 Trait__________________________________
a. CLAIM/Topic Sentence: What are you trying to prove What aspect of your character
are you discussing
b. EVIDENCE/Concrete Detail - Direct or Indirect Quote with page number and/or
description from the text. Support your claim.
c. COMMENTARY #1-How does your evidence/quote clearly prove your claim
d. COMMENTARY #2-How does your evidence/quote clearly prove your claim

f. CONCLUDING SENTENCE-Restate, don’t repeat your claim/topic sentence
IV. Conclusion
What your conclusion should do:
a. Answer the question "So What" Show your readers why this paper was important. Show
them that your paper was meaningful and useful.
b. Synthesize, don't summarize Don't simply repeat things that were in your paper. They
have read it. Show them how the points you made and the support and examples you used
were not random, but fit together.
c. Redirect your readers Give your reader something to think about, perhaps you can show
how your paper would be significant in the “real world.”
Strategies for conclusions:
d. Echoing the introduction: Echoing your introduction can be a good strategy if it is meant
to bring the reader full-circle. If you begin by describing a scenario, you can end with the
same scenario as proof that your essay was helpful in creating a new understanding.
REMEMBER: Saying, “I feel,” “In my opinion,” etc. is redundant. YOU are the one writing the
paper so I know you are writing your thought and your feelings. No need to say it.
Concrete Details are FACTS and must come directly from the book as direct quotes or as indirect
quotes.
Commentary is OPINION. Be sure to explain what the quote/detail demonstrates or shows.
You MUST have two Commentary for every one Concrete Detail.