1. The Phantom Tollbooth, Act I
Writing a Constructed Response
Focus: Character Traits

2. Writing Prompt
In the play, The Phantom Tollbooth, Act I, the author develops several strong characters, each with very different personalities. Write a short essay analyzing the personality of one character based on his/her thoughts, actions, and speech. Cite textual evidence to support your analysis of the character, and be able to explain how your evidence supports your inference.

3. Steps to Drafting a Well-Written Constructed Response
Step 1: Choose a character to analyze .
Step 2: Infer: Determine which personality trait best describes the character.
Step 3: Provide textual evidence to support the trait.
Step 4: Decide on the strongest pieces of evidence.
Step 5: Explain why evidence supports the trait.
Step 6: Tie it altogether.

4. LET’S PRACTICE CHOOSING A PERSONALITY TRAIT!

5. Name the Personality Trait
Registered Nurse

6. Name the Personality Trait
Construction Worker

7. Name the Personality Trait
Plastic Surgeon

8. Name the Personality Trait
Middle School Teacher

9. Name the Personality Trait
Professional Athlete

10. Name the Personality Trait
Vegetable Farmer

11. Name the Personality Trait
Your Phantom Tollbooth Character (from Act I)

12. Name the Personality Trait
Miss Lederman’s Phantom Tollbooth Character: Milo Personality Trait indecisive

13. Making Inferences: Choose a Trait
Once you choose a character to analyze, you need to decide which personality trait best describes your character. This is the driving force of your essay. Therefore, you must have several pieces of evidence to support your inference. Your evidence should range from the character’s thoughts to his/her feelings to his/her actions. Having a variety will strengthen your essay.

14. Making Inferences: Dictionary Definition
Dictionary Definition: It is important to define the character trait so you are entirely sure of its meaning. Milo Example: indecisive: (adjective) not having or showing the ability to make decisions quickly or effectively Ask yourself: Does this definition entirely fit my character [Milo]?

15. Making Inferences: In Your Own Words
Rewrite the Definition: Write your definition as a complete sentence, avoiding all words from the original definition. You never know – you may want to incorporate this into your essay!

16. Making Inferences: In Your Own Words
Original: indecisive: (adjective) not having or showing the ability to make decisions quickly or effectively My Own Words: indecisive: Indecisive means to be unsettled in making choices.

17. Making Inferences: Explain the Trait
In 2-3 sentences, explain how someone with that personality trait would act, speak, and think. Don’t use evidence from the text just yet, but be sure this description is suitable for your chosen character. Otherwise, this may not be the best trait.

18. Making Inferences: Explain the Trait
Someone who is indecisive: An indecisive person will often sit with a blank stare. Rather than producing words, he or she will say, “umm” a lot. Thoughts may be running through his or her mind, but one idea never stands out due to uncertainty or lack of confidence. Being indecisive might cause someone to not participate in many activities because he or she can never make a decision on what to do. In this response, you should “show, not tell”.

19. Making Inferences: How Does This Fit Your Character?
Now, consider. Does this personality trait truly fit your character? Explain in 2-3 sentences.

20. Making Inferences: How Does This Fit Your Character?
At the beginning of the play, Milo proves he is indecisive. He often has difficulty making a decision. When he is in one place, he wishes he were somewhere else, and when he is doing one thing, he wishes it were another.