Name:

Period 2 3 4 5 7
Plan Sheet for Character Analysis Paragraph

Use your list of character traits as well as your list of transition words to help you!!! Feel free to write
additional sentences if they fit!

TOPIC SENTENCE (TOPIC + OPINION/IMPRESSION): _________________________ a

(name of character)

main/minor character in _______________________________________, a _____________________ by

(title of literary work) (type of work: short story, novel, etc.)

__________________________, is _________________________________________________________
(name of author) (what you’re going to prove—character trait)

______________________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 1: __________________________ , ______________________________________________

(transition) (reference to event/quote, etc.)

______________________________________________________________________________________.

EXAMPLE 2: __________________________ , ______________________________________________

(transition) (reference to event/quote, etc.)

______________________________________________________________________________________.

EXAMPLE 3: __________________________ , ______________________________________________

(transition) (reference to event/quote, etc.)

______________________________________________________________________________________.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE: Therefore, throughout this story, ________________________ certainly

displays _______________________________________________________________________________.
(reminder of what you proved—rephrase it)
 Sample Character Analysis Paragraphs

UNACCEPTABLE:
Margaret Narwin, a major character in Nothing But the Truth, a novel by Avi, is distressed. For
example, she is worried about her students. In addition, Miss Narwin is concerned about her teaching. Finally,
Miss Narwin is troubled by the out-of-hand situation. Therefore, throughout this story, Miss Narwin certainly
displays distress.

Why?

ACCEPTABLE:
Margaret Narwin, a major character in Nothing But the Truth, a novel by Avi, is distressed. For
example, at the beginning of the novel, she explains that she’s very worried about her students who do not seem
to love literature like they used to. In addition, Miss Narwin worries about her own teaching; she is concerned
that she is not the best teacher she could be. Finally, Miss Narwin is troubled by the fact that people have
misconstrued her intentions when she told Philip to leave her class—she never intended for the situation to get
so out of hand! Therefore, throughout this story, Miss Narwin certainly displays anxiety and distress.

Why?

SUPERIOR:
Margaret Narwin, a major character in Nothing But the Truth, a novel by Avi, is, at times, distressed.
For example, in the beginning of the novel, she indicates her concern about her students when she writes, “…
students today are not what they used to be. There is no love of literature.” Miss Narwin deeply values great
literature, and it’s concerning to her that her students do not appreciate it. In addition, Miss Narwin worries
about her own teaching. She even goes so far as to request money to attend a class called, “New Approaches to
the Teaching of Literature for Today’s Students.” Troubled by her seeming lack of connection with her
students, Miss Narwin is willing to put forth an extra effort to learn ways to relate to them. Finally, Miss
Narwin is troubled by the fact that people have misconstrued her intentions when she told Philip to leave her
class. Because certain administrators and community members questioned her patriotism and professionalism,
she is asked to resign. In so doing, Miss Narwin feels distraught over the fact that she will no longer be
“teaching her students…the literature [she] love[s].” Therefore, throughout this story, Miss Narwin certainly
displays much anxiety and distress.

Why?