Your Name: Ms.

Spillane English I March 2012 Title: ________________ Assignment: In a well-organized essay, analyze a character from a novel. Support the claim(s) you make about your character with specific and direct evidence from the text that is carefully and correctly cited. You should: Make a claim about your character. Complex claims are written with adjectives shifted out of order at the start of the sentence. Break your claim into parts/points. Develop each point in a paragraph. Support your points (claims in each paragraph) with direct evidence (quotes) from the text. Use parenthetical citations to cite the quotes used as evidence. Need Help? To review how to prove your claim with evidence and interpretation follow the links below. 1. Screencast help video: http://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cln0D2zVt 2. Planning to write your essay- breaking down the claim: http://youtu.be/FaR5BzLMORc 3. Spillane's sample essay (rough draft): http://www.scribd.com/doc/82575912 Assessment Rubric
Claim 4: Outstanding (A or B) Complex The student understands how to write a complex claim that is arguable with adjectives shifted out of order. The student is able to break the claim down into points and use points as topic sentences in each paragraph. There is a clear relationship between paragraphs and the overall claim. The student is able to support analysis with ample evidence. Direct evidence from the text is clearly and correctly cited using parenthetical citations. The student clearly comments on evidence and after using it order to connect to the claim and connect ideas. 3: Progressing (C) Covers the goal The student understands how to write an arguable claim. 2: Beginning (D) Having difficulty The student has difficulty writing an arguable claim; claim may refer to plot events instead of arguable trait(s). The student has difficulty organizing the essay into paragraphs. Writing may run together. Topic sentences in each paragraph may be unclear or the paragraphs may lose focus. The student has difficulties using evidence from the text to support analysis. Evidence (summarized or quoted directly) may be inconsistently used and may not be correctly cited. The student sometimes comments on the evidence but may not make clear connections in the commentary between evidence and claim. 1: Lacking (F) Does not understand The student does not understand how to write an arguable claim but instead summarizes events from the plot. The student does not understand how to organize the essay into paragraphs. Paragraphs may be marked but not organized around topic sentences or main ideas. The student does not understand how to use evidence from the text to support an analysis of character. Evidence (summarized or direct quotations) may be stuck into paragraphs without commentaryinterrupting the flow of the paragraph or it may not be used. Student may not comment on evidence used.

Organization

The student is able to organize the essay into paragraphs. Each paragraph has a topic sentence that relates to the overall claim.

Evidence from the Text

The student is able to use evidence from the text. Some evidence may be summarized instead of directly quoted. The student cites evidence using parenthetical citations. The student is able to comment on the evidence used but comments may be general.

Self Evaluation Where do you rate yourself in terms of understanding how to use specific evidence from a text to support an analysis of a character? Circle where you think you are. 4- Im the master! Making a claim I can write a complex claim with adjectives shifted out of order I can use snippets or clips of direct quotes from the book to support my claim. I understand how much evidence is enough when it comes to proving my claim. I understand how to use parenthetical citations and cite author and page numbers after each piece of evidence Did it. Done. I commented before and after EACH piece of evidence I used and I clearly connect it to my claim 3 I get it. I can write an arguable claim. 2- Im starting to get it. I can write a statement about a character that might be arguable I can find some evidence that relates to my claim, but I need help knowing how to put it into my writing or how much is enough. I cited some of the pieces of evidence I used, but sometimes I forgot either the authors name or the page numbers. I sort of understand how to comment on evidence before and after I use it, but I am not consistent about doing it or about connecting to my claim 1- I dont understand. I do not understand what a claim is or how to write one about a character. I do not understand how to use direct evidence (quotes from the book) in my writing.

Using Evidence to support your claim

I can find evidence that relates to my claim. I can use direct evidence (quotes from the book) in my writing.

Citing your evidence

I cited each piece of evidence I used in parenthesis. I may not have always used the authors name. I understand to comment on evidence before and after I use it.

I do not understand how to cite an author in parenthesis in my writing.

Comment on evidence

I dont get it. I did not introduce evidence with a comment nor did I use a comment after the evidence to connect to my claim.

What do you like best about your character analysis?

What do you wish you could change before you hand in your paper?