This document outlines an in-class writing assignment on character analysis for the novel A Game of Thrones. Students will be placed into teams of 3-4 people and will use these teams for discussions related to writing their essay. The instructor provides the team assignments and explains that teams will remain the same for discussions of one essay before requiring half the team to change. Students are given prompts for choosing an essay topic that involve analyzing significant minor characters, dynamic characters, culturally reflective characters, characters revealed through conflict, and potential tragic heroes. Outlines are provided for introducing topics, formulating theses, and developing essays with evidence from the text.
10 ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE (FROM A TO Z) 1 PLOT (seri.docxchristiandean12115
10 ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE (FROM A TO Z)
1 PLOT (series of events which make-up a story)
A 5-POINT PLOT SEQUENCE:
Exposition: initial part of a story where readers are exposed to setting and characters.
Situation: event in the story which kicks the action forward and begs for an outcome.
Complication: difficulties faced by characters as they experience internal and external conflicts.
Climax: watershed moment when it becomes apparent that major conflicts will be resolved.
Resolution: (Denouement): tying up of the loose ends of the story.
B SUB-PLOTS: PLOTS BENEATH AND AROUND THE MAJOR PLOT.
Foreshadowing: hints and clues of plot.
Flashback: portion of a plot when a character relives a past experience.
Frame story: plot which begins in the present, quickly goes to the past for story, then returns.
Episodic plot: a large plot sequence that is made up of a series of minor plot sequences.
Plausibility: likelihood that certain events within a plot can occur.
Soap Opera: multiple stories told along the sequence and spaced to sustain continual interest.
2 POINT OF VIEW (eyes through which a story is told)
C First Person major (participant major): narrator is the major character in the story.
First Person minor (participant minor): narrator is a minor character in the story.
Third Person omniscient (non-participant omniscient): narrator is outside the story and capable of
seeing into the heart, mind and motivations of all characters.
Third Person limited (non-participant limited): narrator is outside the story and capable of seeing, at
most, into the heart, mind, and motivations of one character. Narrator is
objective if not omniscient.
3 SETTING (time and place of a story, both physical and psychological)
D Physical (external) Setting: the time and place of a story, general and specific.
Psychological (internal) Setting: mood, tone, and temper of story.
E Major Tempers: Romanticism: man is free to choose against moral, spiritual backdrops. If you make
good decisions, you will be rewarded. There is a God that is in control
Existentialism: man is free to choose absent backdrops other than his own. If he feels it is right, then it is
right.
Naturalism: man is largely trapped, a cog in the impersonal machinery. He has no real way of
changing his circumstances.
Realism: eclectic view, but leaning toward the naturalistic position. Sometimes good things happen to
bad people, and sometimes bad things happen to good people. That is just the way it is.
F Other Tempers: Classicism: Man is free, but appears to be trapped due to conflicting codes.
Transcendentalism: Offshoot of romanticism, nature is a window to divine.
Nihilism: Fallout of either extreme existentialism or naturalism. Life is horrible and painful. It
lacks meaning.
4 CONFLICT (nature of the problems faced)
G Four Universal Conflicts: Person versus self
Pe.
Assignment 2 – Gender and Crime DramasPurposeTo develop an ar.docxrock73
Assignment 2 – Gender and Crime Dramas
Purpose:
To develop an argument of definition by closely observing and analyzing specific media examples (as listed in the options below) that engage gender definitions. Students will practice drawing specific textual and visual details to support their assertions.
Topic:
This assignment asks you to look at how contemporary media defines us as a culture and/or specific subcultures and issues specifically as regards to gender. Visual and textual mediums communicate a great deal to the public psyche about notions of who and what we are and what we should strive to become. How we read and interpret these messages is based on our own subject positions—our own race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation and our cultural experiences, etc. Each of us is bombarded daily with messages regarding American ideals from a wide variety of sources, like family, friends, school, work, religion and the media. These messages often forward arguments of definition that shape and define who we are and what we value. While it's relatively easy to reject some of these messages based on differences of opinion as exhibited through generational, ethnic, racial, and gendered perspectives, etc., others are more difficult to ignore because of their insidiousness.
The options for this assignment ask you to examine the ways in which contemporary media engage definitions of gender and the extent to which they might send mixed messages about who we are and what we should value.
Writing Prompt: In a 1,000 word thesis driven essay respond to one of the following two options:
Option I:
Working from our readings and discussion threads on gender, analyze a single episode of the show Southland (TNT 2009-2013--starring Regina King as seen in the above image), Criminal Minds, or any CSI or Law and Order episode within the last few years. Closely observe the roles played, the interactions between male and female characters, and how the characters and settings are visually presented. Then write an argument of definition that assesses whether the show is ultimately more traditional or more progressive (non-traditional) in its depiction of gender roles. The first step will be to define traditional versus non-traditional (progressive) gender roles as you see it (the Aaron Devor essay in our textbook is a great resource to help define these terms). Your paper should not be a general overview or review of the show. Instead, you should include close analysis of character actions and behaviors in two to four key scenes from one single episode as support for your stance.
You may also use another CURRENT Crime Drama with prior approval from me (While there are many edgier shows out there, I focus on mainstream crime dramas where it is possible to read the lead characters several ways—this can lead to some interesting tension and analysis as to which way the program ultimately leans—more traditional or more non-traditional? Sometimes a show may seem ...
2. Teams
In-class writing: What defines your
character?
Group Discussions
Choosing your prompt
Formulating a tentative thesis
Outlining your essay
Introductions: Writing a directed summary
3. 1. For the rest of the quarter, we will use teams to
earn participation points. Your teams can be made
up of 3 or 4 people.
1. The teams will remain the same through the
discussion of material for one essay.
2. You must change at least half of your team after
each essay.
3. You may never have a new team composed of
more than 50% of any prior team.
4. The first team competition starts today. I
will put you into your first teams.
This group will last
through two class
discussions based on
writing essay #1,
practicing rhetorical
strategies, and one
class period dedicated
to a library research
activity: Class 8.
5. Team 1
Danerys: Harim L
Danerys: Tala A
Ser Jorah: Ryan N
Khal Drogo: Travis W
Viserys: Valentin F
Team 2
Eddard: Joseph K
Catelyn: Andrew H
Robb: Cooper
Jon: Jonathan D
Theon Greyjoy: Tyler
Team 3
Sansa: Nicole
Arya: Angie
Bran: Hoang
Joffrey: Jhomel D
• Team 4
• Robert: Jacob B
• Tyrion: Serena
• Catelyn: Johanna C
• Lyssa Tully: Maria
• Eddard: Kawal
• Team 5
M/W Class
• Tyrion: Joseph L
• Bron: Brandon
• Jon: Soo Jung
• Samwell: Tariq
• Benjen Stark: Omar
• Team 6
• Sansa: Lizzie
• Arya: David
• Septa Mordane:
Cristina M
• Sandor Clegane:
Amanda K
• Team 7
• Jaime: Favian
• Cersei: Isabella
• Bran Vinh
• Petyr: Hellen O
• Varys: John H
6. Team 1
Danerys: Rajan
Danerys: Laurel
Ser Jorah: Rudy
Khal Drogo: Yoon Ho
Viserys: Paige
Team 2
Eddard: Andrew T
Robb: Chris O
Jon: Nick T
Samwell: John L
Team 3
Eddard: Dhruvangi
Sansa: Tim Zheng
Arya: Alex W
Bran: Sunny
• Team 4
• Tyrion: Yuri
• Catelyn: Arik
• Lyssa Tully: Karina V
• Petyr: Kacie
• Team 5
• Catelyn: Shishir
• Jon: Chris D
• Tyrion: Valerie
• Bron: Kevin
• Team 6
• Sansa: Cassie
• Arya: Nick S
• Sandor Clegane:
Ning Cao
• Joffrey: Phillip
T/Th Class
• Team 7
• Robert: Pi
• Jaime: Brian
• Cersei: Karen R
• Bran: Frank
• Varys: Areli
7. Sit with your
team
members in
class to
facilitate
ease of
group
discussions
8. Point accumulation
starts today, so make
sure one of your team
members is tracking
points.
Make sure your name
(first name, last initial
alphabetized) is on the
team point sheet.
Total the points for your
team and write the
number at the top of
the page.
9. Points will be earned
for correct answers to
questions, meaningful
contributions to the
discussion , and
provocative questions.
Contributions to the
discussion via the slide
show also score one
point. Each team will
track their own points,
but cheating leads to
death (or loss of 25
participation points).
Answers, comments,
and questions must
be posed in a manner
that promotes
learning. Those who
speak out of turn or
with maliciousness
will not receive
points for their
teams.
10.
11. How do others perceive
your character?
How does your character see
him or herself?
If there is a difference, what
causes it?
12. What makes your character who he or she is?
Write out brief answers that explain or defend
his or her behavior and actions. Consider
these influences:
Culture
Family history
Personal history
Class/Occupation/Ass
ignment
Gender/Sex
Aspirations
13. Write at least three questions that you would like to
ask other characters in your group. For instance, you
might ask why a character treats your character a
certain way, or you might ask about the motivation for
an action or behavior.
Choose questions that will shed light on their
motivations and behavior. Try to make others question
their characters’ integrity, ambition, or other
motivation.
These questions will be the fodder for
your discussion today.
Jot down any discoveries you make about
your character.
14. In your groups,
discuss your
characters. Use
the writing you
have done so
far—that we did
in class today and
whatever other
writing you feel
appropriate—to
drive your
discussion
15.
16.
17. Is he or she a minor or major character?
Does your character grow during the
novel?
Does your character reflect his or her
culture in a significant way?
Does your character suffer internal or
external challenges that reveal his or her
ethics, morals, or nature.
Could your character be read as a tragic
hero?
18.
19. TOPIC 1: Not all supporting characters play
an integral role in a story; however,
sometimes a minor character is so important
to the novel that the theme, plot,
protagonist, or antagonist would be greatly
changed if that character did not exist. From
A Game of Thrones, analyze a minor
character that plays a significant role. Write
a well-developed essay in which you
analyze the character and explain why he or
she is a significant character in the work. Be
sure to use specific examples and quotations
to support your claims.
20. TOPIC 2: A dynamic character is
one who changes or grows
emotionally or psychologically
from the beginning of the novel
until end. Many novels have
multiple dynamic characters.
Choose one character from A
Game of Thrones and write a
well-developed essay in which
you prove that he or she is a
dynamic character. Be sure to use
specific examples and quotations
to support your claims.
21. TOPIC 3: Often a character
reflects the culture of the
country in which he or she
lives, that is, he or she
exemplifies the skills, arts,
values, beliefs, and ideals of a
certain people or country. From
A Game of Thrones, choose a
character that embodies the
culture of the people he or she
represents. In a well-developed
essay, define the culture of one
character and show how that
character illustrates that culture.
22. TOPIC 4: Analyze a character that
reveals his or her personality, ethics,
morals, and nature through the
challenges he or she faces. Think about
the different types of conflict that exist.
Conflict can be external, such as person
versus person, person versus nature, or
person versus society. Conflict can also
be internal, for example, person versus
self. How does your chosen character
experience conflict during the novel?
Keep in mind how conflict causes a
character to change throughout the
course of the story.
23. TOPIC 5: Aristotle's ideas about
tragedy were recorded in his book
of literary theory titled Poetics. In
it, he has a great deal to say about
the structure, purpose, and
intended effect of tragedy. His
ideas have been adopted, disputed,
expanded, and discussed for
several centuries now. In a well-written
essay, analyze a character
from Game of Thrones, arguing for
or against his or her status as a
“tragic hero.”
24.
25. 1. Analyze a minor character that plays a significant role. Write a well-developed
essay in which you analyze the character and explain why
he or she is a significant character in the work.
2. Choose one character and write a well-developed essay in which
you prove that he or she is a dynamic character.
3. Choose a character that embodies the culture of the people he or she
represents. Define the culture of one character and show how that
character illustrates that culture.
4. Analyze a character that reveals his or her personality, ethics,
morals, and nature through the challenges he or she faces. How does
your chosen character experience and manage conflict?
5. In a well-written essay, analyze a character, arguing for or against
his or her status as a “tragic hero.”
27. Your thesis is a statement or theory that you put
forward as a premise to be maintained or proved.
It is also a map for your essay; that is, it tells the reader
what you are suggesting and why you believe your
theory is true.
But your thesis does more than help the reader. A
good, clear working thesis (one that may not yet be
beautiful prose but that details your plan) can help you
outline your essay.
28. [Jon] is faced with a myriad of conflicts, both external
and internal, which come from different sources: his
heritage, his loyalty, and his aspirations –which tackle
different aspects of his life. Jon Snow is the one
character that is constantly challenged to pick sides,
and, as a result, grows from these trials. These
conflicts bring out Jon’s priorities and values and
test his loyalty and result in the growing of Jon
from a distressed kid into a likable and honorable
man who appears to have found a place in this
world.
29. If you don’t yet know which prompt to address, responding
to a couple of them by writing rough theses might help you
choose.
Write out a rough thesis for at least one of the prompts: for
example, if you chose topic 4, you might start with “Jon
Snow reveals his personality, ethics, morals, and nature
when he faces his life challenges. He struggles with both
internal and external conflict: life at Winterfell, life as a
bastard, life on the wall, and his struggle with honor,
justice and duty. Jon changes as he confronts each of these
issues, growing from an angry boy into an honorable man
of the night’s watch.”
30. Of course, this working thesis is in its simplest form.
You will likely change it significantly as you refine your
thoughts and ideas about your character.
For example, instead of saying “Jon Snow reveals his
ethics, morals, and nature when he faces his life
challenges,” I might assert what kind of ethics,
morals, and nature that he reveals. I might even
limit my thesis to the two most fruitful categories.
31. The more I understand about Jon and who he is based
on how he confronts his conflicts, the more specific I
would make my thesis.
For now, a working thesis and a simple outline can
help you see which questions you can, or want to,
answer.
They can also help you develop ideas about what you
will write before you launch into your project.
32.
33. Intro
Thesis
Internal Conflict
Ethics
Justice/fairness
Morals
Struggle with duty on the
wall
Nature
Mother/birth
Wanting to be a ranger
External Conflict
Ethics
Defending Samwell
Morals
Catelyn
Nature
Direwolves
Conclusion
34. Once you have your thesis (or theses
written), start sketching out a
working outline.
Use your thesis to determine what
you will write.
As you make your outline, briefly
consider which textual examples you
will use as support.
35.
36. • A directed summary provides readers of your
paper with the information they need to
understand your argument and explanation.
• State the title and author of the literary work
near the beginning of the first paragraph,
perhaps in the first sentence. This is essential
so that the reader knows which work you are
discussing.
37. • Hook the reader. In the first sentences, write
what is particularly interesting about the
work. This thought-provoking information
must also be relevant to the topic you will
discuss in your essay.
• Assume that the reader is familiar with the
work about which you are writing. Do not
include too much plot summary in the
introduction or in the rest of the essay. Do
include the part of the story that will
support your thesis. This might or might not
include some aspect of your character
description
38. Example of the Directed Summary
Approach to the Introduction
In A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, a series of obscure
events in the kingdom’s capitol pulls Eddard Stark of Winterfell
from his comfortable, although icy cold, zone and pits him against
charlatans and a rising coup d’état that threatens the safety of his
family. As this political time bomb ticks, the last surviving
descendants from the previous royal family, the Targaryens, are
scheming up a coup of their own. Amidst all this political
controversy, a particular bastard boy under the name of Jon Snow is
faced with obstacles of his own. Although Jon is the illegitimate son
of Eddard Stark, the lord of Winterfell, he still faces the ruthless
fate that his society’s status quo has chosen for people like him. The
whole novel is rife with conflict; however, Jon Snow clearly
becomes the epitome of conflict and self-reflection.
39. • Use transitions throughout the introduction. Because
there are so many aspects of the work that have to be
included, the introduction can end up fragmented
and confusing. Make sure that it makes sense on its
own as a paragraph. Clearly transition from your
introduction into your thesis.
• State the thesis near the end of the introduction
(your introduction might be more than one
paragraph). The thesis should clearly state what the
essay will analyze/assert/argue and should be very
specific.
40. [Jon] is faced with a myriad of conflicts, both
external and internal, that come from different
sources: his heritage, his loyalty, and his
aspirations –which tackle different aspects of
his life. Jon Snow is the one character that is
constantly challenged to pick sides, and, as a
result, grows from these trials. These
conflicts bring out Jon’s priorities and
values and test his loyalty and result in the
growing of Jon from a distressed kid into a
likable and honorable man who appears to
have found a place in this world.
41. Begin your directed summary.
Consider what details you must
include to prepare the reader
for your essay.
Try funneling your
introduction, that is, narrowing
your topic as you summarize
the relevant parts of the story.
The thesis will be the neck of
the funnel and will direct the
reader to your specific
argument.
42. Read A Game of Thrones through
page 600
Post #10 Post your working thesis
and outline. Find evidence to
support your points. Include exact
quotations and citations in your
outline.
Post #11 Directed summary
Study Vocabulary list #3: Test
next class
There will be NO WORD BANK