The Character Analysis Essay

The Introduction

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1)Hook2)Mention author and title of work3)Two to three sentences which discuss

the character generally4)Thesis statement : indicates that the

essay will cover both strengths and weaknesses.

The Hook

A) This essay will be about Talon in Downsiders by Neal Shusterman

B) The book is called Downsiders by Neal Shusterman

C) In the novel, Downsiders, Neal Shusterman introduces his protagonist, Talon.

A B C

Sentence C

In the novel, Downsiders, Neal Shusterman introduces his protagonist, Talon.

This sentence correctly introduces the title, the author and the subject matter. It does not use the “purpose” statements of the previous examples nor does it use the words “essay”, “topic” or “paper”.

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2) Mention two to three Statements about the Character.

a) Talon’s a really good guy, he’s just misunderstood a lot. He is described in many different ways.

b) In spite of strict rules against going Topside, Talon steps out into the unknown world to save his sister. This experience shows Talon that the Downside is in danger from both inside and outside forces. He struggles to save the Downside but does not always make the best choices.

A B

Option A

Talon’s a really good guy, he’s just misunderstood a lot. He is described in many different ways.

This sentence is too informal for formal essay writing. It commits a comma splice and uses contractions. The first sentence is too vague to be specific to Talon (it could be a statement about anyone) and the second sentence also does not help the reader understand more about Talon’s personality.

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Option B

In spite of strict rules against going Topside, Talon steps out into the unknown world to save his sister. This experience shows Talon that the Downside is in danger from both inside and outside forces. He struggles to save the Downside but does not always make the best choices.

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These sentences show a good understanding of Talon in general. They offer general motivation for his actions ( the danger to the Downside) and hints at his positive qualities . The second sentence does a good job of hinting at his weaknesses, and thus preparing the reader for the thesis statement.

3) Thesis statement

A) He is thoughtful and responsible, but he is also impulsive and combative.

B) His strengths are that he is thoughtful and responsible his weaknesses are that he is impulsive and combative.

C) I’ll talk to you about his strengths and weaknesses.

A B C

Thesis A

He is thoughtful and responsible, but he is also impulsive and combative.

This is a good thesis; it states both strengths and weaknesses and is simple and to the point!

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The First Body Paragraph : Strengths

1) Topic sentence: both strengths stated2) Introduce quotation and then insert

quotation3) Explain how quotation supports your point4) State second strength.5) Introduce quotation and then insert

quotation6) Explain how quotation supports your point

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Topic Sentence

1) One of his strengths is that he is thoughtful.2) He has a lot of strengths.3) Talon is both thoughtful and responsible.

A B C

Topic Sentence A

One of his strengths is that he is thoughtful.

This topic sentence only states one of the strengths. Because you’re talking about two, the topic sentence needs to mention both.

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Topic Sentence B

He has a lot of strengths.

This topic sentence does not actually mention the two strengths. It is too vague to be a strong topic sentence.

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Topic Sentence C

Talon is both thoughtful and responsible.

This topic sentence is perfect; it is short but also mentions both strengths.

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2) Introduce quotation and then insert quotation

a) The following quote, “But Talon wasn’t so quick to pass judgment. Talon thought that if he could feel what the Topsiders felt, he would understand the mystery of why they were what they were" (Shusterman 16) proves he is thoughtful.

b) In the book it says, “But Talon wasn’t so quick to pass judgment. Talon thought that if he could feel what the Topsiders felt, he would understand the mystery of why they were what they were.”

c) While still in the Downside, Talon reflected on what it would be like to be a Topsider, “But Talon wasn’t so quick to pass judgment. Talon thought that if he could feel what the Topsiders felt, he would understand the mystery of why they were what they were” (Shusterman 16).

A B C

Intro quotation #1

The following quote, “But Talon wasn’t so quick to pass judgment. Talon thought that if he could feel what the Topsiders felt, he would understand the mystery of why they were what they were" (Shusterman 16) proves he is thoughtful.

It is not good practice to write “following quote”. It is not a smooth quotation integration. You should also not use the word “prove’ with literature. Back

Intro quotation #2In the book it says, “But Talon wasn’t so quick to pass judgment. Talon

thought that if he could feel what the Topsiders felt, he would understand the mystery of why they were what they were.”

First, you should use the word “novel”, not “book”. Also, you will notice “it” doesn’t actually refer to anything and is a vague reference. It’s also missing the parenthetical reference (last name of author plus page number in parenthesis)

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Intro quotation #3a) While still in the Downside, Talon reflected on what it would be

like to be a Topsider, “But Talon wasn’t so quick to pass judgment. Talon thought that if he could feel what the Topsiders felt, he would understand the mystery of why they were what they were” (Shusterman 16).

This is a good introduction to the quotation because it offers context (information about the quotation) and is still a complete thought with the quotation.

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3) Explanation

A) This quote proves that Talon is thoughtful.B) Talon’s thoughtfulness is proved due to the

fact that he is able to think about others.C) Talon’s ability to understand the Topsiders

perspectives when Railborn thinks Topsiders are stupid, shows that Talon is a thoughtful character.

A B C

Thesis B

His strengths are that he is thoughtful and responsible his weaknesses are that he is impulsive and combative.

While this is an acceptable thesis, it is needlessly wordy with the words “strengths” and “weaknesses.” Good writing is simple.

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Explanation A

This quote proves that Talon is thoughtful.

Notice that this explanation does not actually explain why the quotation illustrates Talon’s strength. The writer leaves it up to the reader to figure out why. The writer also used “proves” which is not an appropriate term for English ( you can “prove” a math equation, but not a literary opinion)

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Explanation B• Talon’s thoughtfulness is proved due to the

fact that he is able to think about others.

While this is slightly better than the first explanation, it does not explain very well; why does thinking about others illustrate his thoughtfulness? Also, the phrase, “due to the fact” is unnecessarily complicated and should be simpler.

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Explanation CTalon’s ability to understand the Topsiders perspectives when

Railborn thinks Topsiders are stupid, shows that Talon is a thoughtful character.

This explanation points out the context of the quotation and show how it supports Talon is thoughtful. It also avoids seeming repetitive by writing “understand perspectives” instead of “thoughtful” .

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Last,

4) State second strength.5) Introduce quotation and then insert quotation6) Explain how quotation supports your point

After you state the second strength, you repeat the previous process: introduce the quotation, insert the quotation, and explain how the quotation supports your point.

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Thesis C

I’ll talk to you about his strengths and weaknesses.

This thesis uses first person (never used in formal essays) and does not mention the strengths or weaknesses. It is too informal and sounds as if the writer is “chatting” with us.

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Sentence B

• The book is called Downdsiders by Neal Shusterman.

Like Sentence A, this sentence lacks creativity and imagination. The purpose of the “hook” is to draw the reader in. This sentence not only incorrectly calls it a “book” instead of a NOVEL, it does not really help the reader understand what the essay will be about!

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Sentence A

• This essay will be about Talon in Downsiders by Neal Shusterman

This opening “hook” is too obvious a purpose statement. It is neither interesting nor does it grab the reader’s attention. The purpose of the “hook” is to draw the reader in with a thought-provoking idea. Just stating what the essay will do lacks imagination and interest.

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For the Weaknesses,

You’d follow the exact same procedure: state both weaknesses, introduce a quotation and then insert the quotation, and then explain it. State the second weakness, introduce the quotation and then insert the quotation, and then explain it.

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Concluding ParagraphThis paragraph should include the following: • a restatement of the character and character traits,

using some of the original language or language that "echoes" the original language. (The restatement, however, must not be of the first sentence of your essay.)

• a summary of the main points from the body of the essay.

• a final statement that gives the reader signals that the discussion has come to an end. (This final statement may be a "call to action" in a persuasive essay.)

Concluding ParagraphTalon, in Neal Shusterman’s novel Downsiders,

is a responsible and thoughtful young man who must overcome his impulsive and combative nature in order to lead his people out of the darkness and into the light. Shusterman wants the reader to feel Talon’s frustration as he has to overcome the betrayal of a friend, the corruption of a government and the reluctance of his people to leave their homes for the unknown. Talon sacrifices everything showing the reader that the journey from childhood to adulthood is full of difficult decisions that lead to the eventual letting go of childish ways.

Final statement

Summary

Restatement

Notes on the Conclusion

• For the conclusion, it is always best to avoid “I”. • Many of you may write “I think______ is” when

you could simply write “_______ is _____ because.”

• Using I, you or we is not appropriate for formal writing.