Quickwrite: Characterization
MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD
Characterization is the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.
It can be revealed through direct and indirect means.
 Direct (explicit): “Derek is cunning and greedy.”
o Character’s thoughts, words, or what the author discloses directly to the reader
 Indirect (implied): "On the crowded subway, Derek slipped his hand into the man's coat
pocket and withdrew the wallet, undetected."
o Character’s actions or appearance (ragged clothing, behavior, interests, way of
speaking, and other mannerisms, etc.)
Prompt for Paragraph 1 (Character _____________):
Think of how the characters in the novel My Brother Sam is Dead were characterized by the
authors. Tim, his mother Susannah, and Betsy in particular change their attitude toward
the war throughout the story. Choose one of the three characters and respond with one
paragraph that has eight sentences (2 chunks) illustrating how the authors characterize
them at the beginning of the novel in contrast to how they are characterized toward the
end of the novel. [50 points]
Format for both prompts:
TS: Hook the reader, make me want to read your paragraph.
CD: Fact /quote from the book that illustrates characterization.
CM: Personal interpretation / analysis.
CM: Personal interpretation / analysis.
CD: Fact /quote from the book that illustrates characterization.
CM: Personal interpretation / analysis.
CM: Personal interpretation / analysis.
CS: Wrap up, make a point and make it obvious that you are done.
Prompt for Paragraph 2 (Character _____________):
Same as above, but choose a different character
Think of how the characters in the novel My Brother Sam is Dead were characterized by the
authors. Tim, his mother Susannah, and Betsy in particular change their attitude toward
the war throughout the story. Choose a different character of the three and respond with
one paragraph that has eight sentences (2 chunks) illustrating how the authors
characterize them at the beginning of the novel in contrast to how they are characterized
toward the end of the novel. [50 points]
Extra Credit [worth up to 16 points]
Using the prompt and format above as a model, write about how any character from any
book, film, television or online show is characterized, both directly and indirectly, and
how the characterization changes over time.
Quickwrite: Characterization
MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD
Rubric
Poss.
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
50
Requirement
5
4
3
2
Complete sentences
All
-1
-2
-3
-4 or
more
No spelling or capitalization errors
No awkward / grammatically
incorrect sentences
0
2
3
4
5 or more
0
1
2
3
8 sentences
8
7
6
5
1
1
4
0
5 or more
4 or less
Name
yes
no
Written in ink
yes
no
2 Commentary Sentences
No punctuation errors
2
1
3
0
2
1
0
Topic Sentence
yes
no
Concrete Detail
yes
no
Concluding Sentence
yes
no
Follows correct format
yes
no
Indented correctly
yes
no
Student number
yes
no
Title
yes
no
Date
yes
no
Total Score