GT ELA 7 Summative Assessment for Unit on ​
Hatchet Part 1:​
(​
Take-home) Literary Analysis Essay - Character Development in ​
Hatchet Overview: ​
Throughout the novel ​
Hatchet​
, the reader follows the dynamic character Brian on his mental and emotional journey of survival. In the first half of the novel, the reader learns a great detail about the Old Brian, his internal conflicts, and his struggles with survival. In chapter 13, the climax of the story, Brian experiences a final sense of hopelessness which actually helps him transition into a New Brian. After Brian’s epiphany in chapter 13, the outlook on himself and his survival is reflected differently. He has changed. 7th grade Requirements: ● Write a five paragraph literary analysis essay‐‐complete with introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and conclusion‐‐which characterizes Brian at the beginning, middle, and end of the novel to demonstrate how Brian’s character develops. You may and should use your book and your assignments as a resource. ● For each point in the story, describe the conflict that he encounters or overcomes that supports how you characterize Brian. ● Provide textual evidence for your inference and explain how the conflict supports the inference you make about him. Cite the author and page number. ● From the ​
Hatchet​
vocabulary lists you used for the novel, use at least 6 terms correctly (any form) within your essay. Highlight or put a box around those words. For each body paragraph: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Begin with the topic sentence that answers how you characterize Brian. Describe the context of the story along with the main conflict of focus. Provide textual evidence about the conflict and how Brian is feeling or behaving. MLA citation (Author page#). Explain how the conflict supports the inference you made about his character. ‐‐ You may repeat steps 3,4,& 5 if you have additional textual evidence. Example: 1 ​
In chapter 1 of the novel ​
Hatchet,​
the main character Brian is characterized as extremely fearful.​
​
2​
When Brian is trapped on the plane flying above the wilderness with pilot ​
who has just had a heart attack, Brian becomes ​
panicked​
at his situation. ​
3​
​
Brian felt “the very core of him . . . was stopped and stricken with a white‐‐flash of horror, a terror so intense that this breathing, his thinking, and nearly his heart had stopped” ​
4​
(Paulsen 11). ​
5​
At this point, Brian does not know how to help the pilot and realizes that he is now alone. ​
3​
Brian “was alone. In the roaring plan with no pilot he was alone” ​
4​
(Paulsen 12). ​
5​
Brian’s ​
panicked​
behavior and uncertainty about what to do after the pilot dies, supports the inference that he is ​
very afraid and ​
fearful. *​
You may ​
not​
use this example. There are plenty of other conflicts to write about. Essay Reminders: 1. Use MLA heading and formatting. ○ If typing, double space and use traditional 12 point font. You will print out your essay for me. ○ If handwriting, skip lines, use dark lead or ink, and write very neatly. 2. Write a creative title and center it at the top of your essay. 3. Write in ​
present tense​
. The exception is when you are quoting from the text. 4. Do not use pronouns ​
I ​
or ​
you​
. The exception is in the attention grabber or the clincher. 5. Use formal language only. No slang. No contractions such as ​
can’t, won’t, here’s​
, etc. 6. Using​
transition​
​
words​
and ​
transitional phrases​
is a ​
must!​
Use your Transitions handout. 7. Revise and edit your work multiple times before turning in the final product. An​
​
i​
ntroduction​
contains 1) Attention Grabber, 2) A lead‐in, or transition sentence, and 3) a Thesis statement which restates the question or writing prompt. The ​
conclusion​
should 1) start with a concluding transition, 2) restate the thesis/main idea, 3) summarize your main points, and 4) end with a clincher.