1. English 10 and Honors English 10 Composition Notes
Thesis, Outline, and Introduction Writing

2. How to Write a Thesis for a Character Analysis Paper
Brainstorm a rough sketch of 4 characters you would like to analyze.
Describe their personalities, appearances, preferences, tendencies, beliefs, values and actions.
Think about how the characters’ traits affect their relationships with others.

3. How to Write a Thesis for a Character Analysis Paper
Think of the characters’ roles or functions in the story, based on the evidence you have gathered so far.
The answers to these question help make up your thesis.

4. How to Write a Thesis for a Character Analysis Paper
Formulate your thesis in one sentence. State your observations and then give your reasoning.
For example:
“Karl Lidner and Travis Younger are minor characters who challenge Walter and Lena Younger to embrace and exemplify character and integrity through symbolism.”
[Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun”]

5. How to Write a Thesis for a Character Analysis Paper
“Karl Lidner and Travis Younger are minor characters who challenge Walter and Lena Younger to embrace and exemplify character and integrity through symbolism.”
In this thesis, I describe the relationships four characters have with each other, and then propose the purpose of two minor characters as it relates to the decisions made by two major characters.

6. How to Write a Thesis for a Comparison-Contrast Paper
To write a compare and contrast thesis, make a list of similarities and differences between the film, ideas, or events.
Narrow down similarities and differences to specific ideas to avoid writing a compare and contrast thesis that is too broad.

7. How to Write a Thesis for a Comparison-Contrast Paper
Make sure the thesis for a compare and contrast essay compares and contrasts two or more ideas.
For example:
“While the 1961 and 2008 film versions of “A Raisin in the Sun” share the same story line, there are differences in script and props.

8. How to Write an Outline for a Comparison-Contrast Paper
Block Arrangement
1 Write an introduction. Inform the reader of the items being compared and contrasted in the essay, and the importance of it.
2 Outline the main points of the first item. List each major point of comparison and contrast introduced for both items.
3 Outline the main points of the second item. Again, list each of the major points of comparison and contrast. The points should counter those contained in the previous outline item.
4 Write a conclusion. Close the essay by summarizing the results of comparing and contrasting the two items.

9. Block Arrangement (four paragraphs)
I. Introduction -in which you state your purpose, which is to discuss the differences between the 1961 and 2008 film versions of “A Raisin in the Sun”.
THESIS STATEMENT
II film A.  Story line B.  script  C.  props 
III film A.  Story line
B.  script C.  props 
IV.Conclusion

10. How to Write an Outline for a Comparison-Contrast Paper
Point-by-Point Arrangement
1. Write an introduction. As with the block arrangement, state which items will be examined and why.
2. Outline the first compare or contrast point. Provide a brief statement on how the point is supported in the paper. Give an overview on each of the items compared.
3. Outline the second compare and contrast point. As above, give a brief supporting statement for each item.
4. Outline the third compare and contrast point. Continue outlining the different points for as many as there are, providing short summaries on how each item is considered.
5. Write a conclusion. As with the block arrangement, end the outline by summarizing the results of comparing and contrasting the two items.

11. Point-by-Point or Alternating Arrangement (five paragraphs)
I. Introduction in which you state your purpose, which is to discuss differences and similarities between the 1961 and 2008 film versions of “A Raisin in the Sun”.
THESIS STATEMENT
II.First similarity between the 1961 and 2008 film versions is the overall storyline. A.  1961 storyline B.  2008 storyline
III.Second difference between the 1961 and 2008 film versions is the script. A. 1961 script B. 2008 script
IV.Third difference between the 1961 and 2008 film versions is the types of props used. A.  1961 props/ set design
B.  2008 props/ set design
V.Conclusion

12. How to Write an Outline for a Character Analysis Paper.
Introduction
Attention-Getter (quote, question, anecdote, shocking statement):
Introduce story’s title and author:
Give brief background: What is the story about?
Thesis: In one sentence, state what your characters’ traits are and how/why they affect the story/themes/other characters.

13. How to Write an Outline for a Character Analysis Paper.
. Character I
What is their trait? (Minor Character, static, foil, etc.)
How do you know? (What do others say about the character? What does the character do? Find evidence in the book.)
How does this trait affect the story? (How does this trait help or hurt the character’s relationships with others? Does it help/hurt him personally? Does it get him into or out of trouble?)
Why?

14. How to Write an Outline for a Character Analysis Paper.
Character II
What is their trait? (Minor Character, static, foil, etc.)
How do you know? (What do others say about the character? What does the character do? Find evidence in the book.)
How does this trait affect the story? (How does this trait help or hurt the character’s relationships with others? Does it help/hurt him personally? Does it get him into or out of trouble?)
Why?

15. How to Write an Outline for a Character Analysis Paper.
Character III
What is their trait? (Minor Character, static, foil, etc.)
How do you know? (What do others say about the character? What does the character do? Find evidence in the book.)
How does this trait affect the story? (How does this trait help or hurt the character’s relationships with others? Does it help/hurt him personally? Does it get him into or out of trouble?)
Why?

16. How to Write an Outline for a Character Analysis Paper.
Character IV
What is their trait? (Minor Character, static, foil, etc.)
How do you know? (What do others say about the character? What does the character do? Find evidence in the book.)
How does this trait affect the story? (How does this trait help or hurt the character’s relationships with others? Does it help/hurt him personally? Does it get him into or out of trouble?)
Why?

17. How to Write an Outline for a Character Analysis Paper.
V. Conclusion
Do not make any new points in your concluding paragraph.
Rephrase your thesis sentence. Paraphrase each of your topic sentences and remind the reader of one or two pertinent examples for each.
You might want to use a quotation which you feel perfectly presents your character or to inject humor.
You might want to ask a question for the audience to think on further.

18. How to Write a Character Analysis Introduction by D. R. Davis,2009
The introduction can start with a quote, a question, a few lines of dialogue, or a statement. If you are writing about “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” you might have a beginning sentence such as this one:
Why would any little girl be wandering in the woods alone?
The simplest introduction includes things about the character which are relevant but not closely related to the developed discussion in your paper.
For instance, if you are writing a paper on Goldilocks and a main aspect of this character that you are going to discuss is not her hair, you probably aren’t going to write about her looks in the introduction. You might, though, include a discussion of what parameters of culture allowed a little girl to wander into the woods alone.
The introduction could include many things: history, background, information on the author, information on the genre of the work, or an important definition. Only information which is relevant to the work and your point should be included.