Use Miss Ferenczi in the character analysis.
Fiction Essay
A Character Analysis
(100 Points)
Definition of Analysis
Analysis separates a work of literature into its component parts and selects one of those parts for a closer study. A character analysis paper (in literature called a theme) may focus on any main character from the stories we discussed this semester by separating his or her character into individual traits. Therefore, when you analyze a character, you focus on his or her character traits. Traits can be the character’s speech, mannerisms, choices, actions, clothing, personality, response to conflict, etc. Isolate a few of these traits, analyze them in a focused way, and use these traits to say something significant about the character in relation to the larger theme of the story.
Choosing Your Topic
Always choose the work of literature based on your interest as well as on how easy it will be for you to write about it (whether you make personal or intellectual connection with the subject, character or feeling). For this assignment, choose a short story on the reading list for Module 2. Choose the work that contains ONE character you find intriguing. This essay will focus on the analysis of a character in a work of fiction we have read this term. A character analysis focuses on the character’s actions, words, responses to conflict, demeanor, etc. Use these elements to shape an argument about how the character functions in the story and advances a larger theme.
Research and Documentation
Research is NOT required. However, this essay can be researched if needed; in other words, you can read critical articles about your selected work of literature. If researched, whenever you paraphrase, quote or summarize from these works, you must document the sources correctly, using MLA style documentation (in-text parenthetical and works cited). You must also document when you use textual references from our anthology to support your observations, using parenthetical citations and work cited in MLA style. For the MLA documentation format, consult Dare to Document guide posted on the JCC web site.
Essay Development
Remember, the evidence must come from the text of the work on which you focus your paper. You need to explain the quotes and paraphrases, not merely supply them. Stating that something is true does not constitute an explanation. To explain, you must state how and/or why your assertion is true. You need to convince the reader (me) that a given quote, in fact, supports the point you are making. In this document, you’ll find examples of good analytical essays written by my past students.
Essay Structure
Clearly state and adequately support your point of view (your assertion) about ONE of the characters we’ve studied. In other words, make a judgment about him or her and back up that judgment with examples and explanations of examples. Each body paragraph should discuss a different character trait that illustrates your assertion, which is then supported by examples from the text as well as your explanations of the examples showing how these examples support the trait. In addition, you should discuss (explain) how your chosen character’s traits support your judgment (opinion of the character) expressed in your thesis.
Provide relevant and specific evidence to support your thesis. If you wish to quote directly from the story, indicate the page on which that quotation can be found. For example, “She was a strong woman” (Author 70).
Other Requirements and Grading Procedure
Your essay must be a minimum of 4-5 typewritten, double-spaced pages long. I’ll be looking for an interesting introduction, clear and original thesis sentence, obvious organization (evident through the use of topic sentences), effective paragraph order, good textual evidence, convincing and original discussion of the evidence, and a satisfying closing paragraph (plus correctly formatted works cited and parenthetical citations). In evaluating this paper, I will also consider grammar, spelling, diction, organization, quality of your observations, and your focus. Your paper must follow MLA style. For criteria for grading essays, refer to the English Department grading grid (Essay Assessment Instrument) located in the Course Information documents and the syllabus. You also must credit any information obtained from outside sources using MLA style of documentation. Please read the plagiarism policy. For documentation format, consult Dare to Document guide posted on the JCC web site.
Follow the suggestions listed below to make your analysis effective:
Keep a relatively formal tone, sentence structure and diction in your paper.
Avoid using the second person (you) and first person (I) except for situations where you relate a story or play to your life.
Do not give me a plot summary. Use details and events from the plot to explain your thesis about the character. Do not just tell me a story.
Use present tense when discussing events in the story, except for events that happened prior to the story’s beginning.
