Character Analysis of Jimmy Valentine
The Big Question: What kind of character is Jimmy Valentine? Turn this question into your CLAIM!
INTRODUCTION
Hook:
T.A.G and background information (short summary of story): In O. Henry’s short story, “A Retrieved Reformation,”
readers meet a character named Jimmy Valentine. Valentine is a notorious safe-cracker, and he has served time in
prison for his crimes. Once Valentine is released from prison he moves to a town called Elmore where he meets
Annabel Adams, and he ultimately decides to change his criminal ways to win Annabel’s heart.
Claim:
BODY PARAGRAPH 1
Transitional Sentence to start the paragraph: One of the most unique features about Valentine is his___________
personality.
Evidence (include citation) & Reasoning 1:
Evidence (include citation) & Reasoning 2:
BODY PARAGRAPH 2
Transitional Sentence to start the paragraph: Another interesting character trait that Valentine reveals is
his___________ criminal style.
Evidence (include citation) & Reasoning 1:
Evidence (include citation) & Reasoning 2:
Character Analysis of Jimmy Valentine
BODY PARAGRAPH 3
Transitional Sentence to start the paragraph: A final character trait that defines Valentine related to his
___________ physical appearance.
Evidence (include citation) & Reasoning 1:
Evidence (include citation) & Reasoning 2:
CONCLUSION
Transitional Sentence to start paragraph: Based on this evidence, one can definitely conclude that Jimmy Valentine is
a _________________ character.
Brief summary of points:
Claim (in different words):
Concluding sentence:
Help with EVIDENCE
Help with REASONING
For example...
This quote shows…
An obvious example from the story is when…
This quote is a great example because…
A great quote from the story is, “…
This scene lets the reader know…
Another piece of evidence is when…
A reason why this quote is important…
When Valentine said “…”
This character description proves…
Citation= (O.Henry lines 24-26).
Based on this scene…
NO PERSONAL PRONOUNS! No “I” and instead of “you” say: the reader, the audience, or one.