CHARACTER PROJECT FOR TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE COOK 2016
Character Project for Tuesdays with Morrie
You will create a Post-Mortem of a character from Tuesdays with Morrie. You will
find quotations or passages to illustrate the following body parts below and answer
the questions related to the body parts. Be sure to include the page number where
you found the quote. For example, (p. 12).
Directions:
1. Draw the outline of your character by lying down on butcher paper and having
someone draw an outline around your body. You will use this outline for your
character. Get the paper from me, OR you can use poster board and hand-draw the
outline of the character.
2. Using the body parts from the list below. Answer the questions that go with the
body part and include the quotations that support your answers (glue down or write
this information on the character model). Also include the page number in
parentheses after each quotation or passage.
Body Parts –
 Head – Intellectual side of the character – What are his/her dreams?
Visions? Philosophies she/he keeps inside?
 Eyes – Seeing through the characters eyes – What memorable sights affect
him/her? How?
 Ears – Hearing through the character’s ears – What does she/he notice and
remember others saying to him/her? How is she/he affected?
 Nose- Smelling through the character’s nose – What smells affect him/her?
How?
 Mouth – The character’s communication – What philosophy does the
character share/espouse? What arguments/debates? What song would
symbolize the character’s philosophy of life? What lyrics/images from the
song would symbolize his or her philosophy?
 Arms – Working – What is the character’s relationship to work in general?
To specific work?
 Hands – The practical side of the character – What conflicts does he or she
deal with? How?
 Heart – The emotional side of the character – What does he or she love?
Whom? How?
 Torso – The instinctive side of the character – What doesn’t he or she like
about himself or herself? What does hide? What brings the character pain?
What does he or she fear? (Describe his or her “dark” side.)
 Legs – The playful side of the character – What does he or she do for fun?
What are his or her avocations?
 Feet – The character’s mobility – Where has he or she been
(literally/figuratively)? How has he or she been affected by travel or setting?
 “Wings” – The character’s future – Where is he or she going?
CHARACTER PROJECT FOR TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE COOK 2016
Characterization Definitions for the assignment:
Characters in novels typically fall into the following categories: Round Characters
(complex and multidimensional, like real people), Flat Characters (one dimensional
and superficial; they can be described in a single sentence), Dynamic Characters
(they change in an important way because of the story’s action), Static Characters
(do not change much or at all in a story), and Stock Characters (predictable
stereotypes of people).
You will write an 11 sentence paragraph that answers this question: How does
Mitch Albom develop the character of ______________ in the novel into a _________
character? Discuss how the character grows or changes OR how the character is
used as a stereotype in the novel. Use 3 pieces of evidence and 3 explanations to
support your thesis.
Thesis Statement:
Must include the author’s name, the title, and what you are trying to prove. Your
thesis must have a VIVID VERB (not a being verb), TONE WORD (adjective from
tone sheet), THEME WORD (abstract noun).
Example:
In “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell the character of Rainsford is a
dynamic character who evolves from a confident big game hunter into a man who can
empathize with the vulnerability of his prey.
11 Sentence Paragraph Outline
1st Sentence – Thesis Statement
2nd Sentence – Introduce first reason or example that supports your thesis.
3rd Sentence – Provide the quote or specific example.
4th Sentence – Explain how the quote or example supports your thesis.
5th Sentence – Transition to 2nd reason or example that supports your thesis.
6th Sentence – Provide a quote or specific example.
7th Sentence – Explain how the quote or example supports your thesis.
8th Sentence – Transition to 3rd reason or example that supports your thesis.
9th Sentence – Provide the quote or specific example.
10th Sentence – Explain how the quote or example supports your thesis.
11th Sentence – Conclusion Sentence that explains how all three examples above
support your thesis.
CHARACTER PROJECT FOR TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE COOK 2016
Rubric:
To receive 100 points for the Character Post-Mortem
students must meet the requirements below:
 The character model is neat, presentable and easily
read.
 The character quotes accurately relate to the
questions about the body parts.
 All of the questions about the body parts are
answered effectively.
 Effort and creativity are evident in the project.
The receive 50 points for the writing assignment
students must meet the requirements below:
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Provide an effective thesis statement.
Provide evidence to support the thesis statement.
Provide explanations of the evidence.
Provide an effective conclusion.
Have few or no errors.
TOTAL POINTS FOR THE PROJECT – 150 POINTS
PROJECT DUE DATE: Tuesday, February 23, 2016