Goals: Critical Thinking Levels
• Understand: Students will be able to summarize one chapter from an authoritative book that focuses on a major character trait.
• Apply: Students will use the proper writing strategies to develop a character sketch and correct grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.
• Apply: Students will implement the correct procedure for integrating a quotation within paper using correct MLA documentation.
• Analyze: Students will focus on the behavior, values, and/or attitudes of the individual to support their thesis.
• Evaluate: Students will judge the impact this American had or has on our country and our individual lives.

Length: Four typed pages

Format: MLA, with MLA documentation, parenthetical documentation, and a works cited page.

Sources: One book (not written by the individual you are researching)
No Internet sources except for biographical dates if needed

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Information on Organizing Your Paper
I. Introduction (Suggestions)
• Grab attention with first sentence
• Quotation from person
• Insight from someone else about the person
• Your creative choice
• Exposition by providing brief historical background
• Who the person was/is
• When he /she lived
• How he/she became influential
• Where he/she achieved prominence
• Introduce your source, credentials, title of book, year it was published
• End your introduction with a thesis
• Your last sentence will be a generalized concept about one accomplishment

II. Body: Explain how your person became an influential American
• First body paragraph –describe physical appearance
• Detail certain important features of the image (attached to your essay)
• Does the physical appearance parallel an inner quality?
• Is the picture worth a thousand words?
• Does your outside source depict description of person’s physical appearance?
• Remaining body paragraphs-summarize one achievement (only one from his/her many accomplishments)the individual had on America
• Chronologically organize paragraphs to depict the accomplishment to your audience
• Distinguish from your outside source why that one achievement stands out for you
• Describe any inconsistencies in your person (e.g. he/she is a great philanthropist
but the methods of attaining wealth may have been illegal or contradictory)

III. Conclusion (Suggestions)
• Bring your paper full circle by linking back to the thesis and/or title
• Have you been inspired by your new knowledge-why or why not?
• Has the person made your life better?
• Has the person taught you something about yourself and/or about America?
• Provide an unforgettable last sentence. Use your creative talent here.
• Leave with your audience with a final impression of your evaluation of this individual

IV. Works Cited
• The final page of your essay will be a Works Cited page
• Use the correct MLA format to document the book/chapter you have chosen

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