Character Analysis

Choose either Gilgamesh, Ivan, Zosima, Hamlet, Ophelia, Claudius, Gertrude, Horatio, Socrates, Glaucon, Adeimantus or Jesus to reflect on. What kind of a person is this? Reflect on their character, motives, highest good, self-understanding or lack thereof, virtues, vices, confusions or misunderstandings. The goal is to gain the deepest insight into a character that you can; to offer the most complete analysis you can; to see your character charitably yet critically.

Be sure to use clear claims about the character and to support them with evidence. You must absolutely find quotes that show us the inner mind of the character, what they are thinking and feeling if your analysis is to be convincing. Take your time and sift through the text. Let your thoughts simmer. No quick judgments (part of the goal of this assignment is to fight against the human tendency to form quick judgments about people that are not us). Try to see the character as he/she sees him/herself.

Organize your thoughts into an argument with a thesis. Use claims and evidence and transitions, and include a conclusion that makes us appreciate the significance of your insight.

After you submit, you will be assigned randomly two papers to peer review. You must review these by Sunday at noon. Once you have seen your own peer reviews, you will have until Monday at noon to make any changes you want to your original draft, and resubmit the paper.

Paper:
1. Introduction is appropriate to thesis, compelling, does not use quotes or grand claims.
2. This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Thesis is clear and specific
Thesis is not summary; is not obvious; an intelligent person might disagree.
3. This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Topic sentences are claims not quotes or summary Paragraph remains focused on the claim in topic sentence.
4. Topic sentences are supported with appropriate level of reasoning.
5. This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Evidence is used to support claim of paragraph selection of evidence is appropriate.
6. This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Paragraphs have transitions