1.  Keep your focus on characterization – Specifically think about how Meyers creates the character you chose. While you are talking about their personality traits, you are also focusing on how those personality traits were created.  Direct and Indirect Characterization should be mentioned in every body paragraph, with examples to support.

2. One main characterization, shown in three different ways Three different character traits  Jonesy is a likeable character ◦ Indirect Characterization – through how he acts ◦ Indirect Characterization – in what he says ◦ Indirect Characterization – in how other characters react to him  Jonesy is a likable character ◦ His love of the blues  Indirect Characterization through what he says ◦ His friendship with Birdy  Indirect Characterization through his actions ◦ His dedication to his job  Indirect Characterization through his actions

4.  Your essay should have a creative title ◦ Do not just use the title of the piece you are analyzing.  Hint – If you’re stuck on a title, move on and come back to it

5.  This is the hook that grabs your reader’s attention and starts them reading. ◦ Quote – A solid option always ◦ Story – If used, it should be short. ◦ Facts/Statistics - (maybe not for this essay) ◦ Rhetorical Question – this is a question without an answer given. It is overused and should be a last resort.  Hint – If you’re stuck – come back to this

6.  The main idea of your paper. For a literary essay, it needs to include the author and title you are working with. ◦ Example:  In Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare shows that romantic love isn’t necessarily simple and sweet; it is an intense emotion that can be brutal and chaotic.  A thesis statement is only one sentence long.  Titles of plays and novels are underlined or in italics – not both  For this essay, you should be looking at a thesis statement that describes/explains how you see the character in the novel. ◦ For example – In Sunrise over Fallujah, Walter Dean Meyers creates the likeable character of Jonesy.

7.  Even though Corporal Jones may seem insane and obsessed with the blues, he has strong morals that make him a great soldier.  Corporal Marla Kennedy is a blunt and closed person, however her quick thinking and brave traits makes her a very respected military woman.  Birdy on the outside seems like a simple person but he is very complex.  Jonesy is a very likable person, even though he may be a little different sometimes.

8.  One sentence that previews the main ideas of your three body paragraphs. ◦ The chaotic and brutal effects of romantic love are shown through the classic balcony scene, the turning point of the fight scene and the dramatic ending of the play.  Paragraph One – Chaotic feelings during the balcony scene (II.ii)  Paragraph Two – Brutal effects (death and banishment) as Romeo first doesn’t fight Tybalt because of his love for Juliet (III.i)  Paragraph Three – Chaotic effects when each main character finds out the other is “dead.” (III.i/iii)

9.  Topic sentence to introduce the main idea (claim)  Supporting ideas ◦ Textual evidence (Direct quotes and paraphrases) ◦ Explain how the textual evidence supports your main idea (Reasoning). This is where you should explain how this personality trait is created with direct or indirect characterization. ◦ Repeat as needed  Think about a transition into the next paragraph

10.  Summarize the main ideas of your paper  Restate your thesis in new words  Tie back to your attention-getter

11.  Can you pick out the attention-getter, thesis and preview in this speech? What is his evidence? How does he conclude? ◦ Note, he uses the word “c*@p.” If that is an issue, please let me know now.  Ashton Kutcher Acceptance Speech Ashton Kutcher Acceptance Speech

12.  Follow MLA formatting. See the sample on the next slide.  Write about literature in the present tense  Academic writing is in third person (avoid I, me or my). If it doesn’t have a citation, then I know it is your idea.