Character Analysis Paper

The purpose of this assignment is to apply personality theories to fictional characters from a television show or movie. By the end of the semester, you would have completed two of these papers.

Instructions:

Choose a fictional television show or movie with multiple main characters
Choose one of the main characters to focus your paper on. Please make sure your focus is on a fictional character.
Choose 3 theories to analyze the character (see Blackboard for available theories for each assignment)— make sure this is 3 different chapters!!
Write a 6 part paper based off the following:

Part 1: Introduction—this should be no more than half a page!!

Include a brief summary of the show or movie and why you chose it (2 points)
Briefly introduce the main characters and who you’re focusing on (2 points)
Provide a clear and concise thesis statement about the three theories you will be using to

explain the main character’s behavior and personality (2 points)

Part 2: Description of character (5 points)—this should be no more than half a page!!

Without explaining specific scenes, describe the character you’re focusing on
Include any details that you think is relevant to your analysis (examples: family, job, ap-

proximate age, relationship to other characters…)

Part 3: Theory #1

Using your own words, describe the first theory you will be using to analyze the charac- ter. Do not use quotes! This should be no more than 1 paragraph long. (5 points)
Scene 1:

Identify and describe 1 specific scene where this theory is being depicted. If you

cannot indicate a specific scene, make sure you provide enough character descrip-

tion to support your analysis (4 points)

Explain why this scene illustrates this theory. Make sure you provide a strong ar-

gument for your evidence. Your explanation should be explicit enough so that it’s clear how the scene fits with the theory. Be sure to indicate which part of the theo- ry it corresponds with. (6 points)

Scene 2:

Identify and describe 1 specific scene where this theory is being depicted. If you

cannot indicate a specific scene, make sure you provide enough character descrip-

tion to support your analysis (4 points)

Explain why this scene illustrates this theory. Make sure you provide a strong ar-

gument for your evidence. Your explanation should be explicit enough so that it’s clear how the scene fits with the theory. Be sure to indicate which part of the theo- ry it corresponds with. (6 points)

d. Part 4: Theory #2

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Theories of Personality (PSY 377) Fall 2018
i. Using your own words, describe the second theory you will be using to analyze the char-

acter. Do not use quotes! (5 points) ii. Scene 1:

Identify and describe 1 specific scene where this theory is being depicted. If you cannot indicate specific scenes, make sure you provide enough character descrip- tion to support your analysis (4 points)
Explain why this scene illustrates this theory. Make sure you provide a strong ar- gument for your evidence. Your explanation should be explicit enough so that it’s clear how the scene fits with the theory. Be sure to indicate which part of the theo- ry it corresponds with (6 points)

iii. Scene 2:

Identify and describe 1 specific scene where this theory is being depicted. If you

cannot indicate a specific scene, make sure you provide enough character descrip-

tion to support your analysis (4 points)

Explain why this scene illustrates this theory. Make sure you provide a strong ar-

gument for your evidence. Your explanation should be explicit enough so that it’s clear how the scene fits with the theory. Be sure to indicate which part of the theo- ry it corresponds with (6 points)

e. Part 5: Theory #3

i. Using your own words, describe the third theory you will be using to analyze the charac- ter. Do not use quotes! (5 points)

ii. Scene 1:

Identify and describe 1 specific scene where this theory is being depicted. If you

cannot indicate a specific scene, make sure you provide enough character descrip-

tion to support your analysis (4 points)

Explain why this scene illustrates this theory. Make sure you provide a strong ar-

gument for your evidence. Your explanation should be explicit enough so that it’s clear how the scene fits with the theory. Be sure to indicate which part of the theo- ry it corresponds with (6 points)

iii. Scene 2:

Identify and describe 1 specific scene where this theory is being depicted. If you

cannot indicate a specific scene, make sure you provide enough character descrip-

tion to support your analysis (4 points)

Explain why this scene illustrates this theory. Make sure you provide a strong ar-

gument for your evidence. Your explanation should be explicit enough so that it’s clear how the scene fits with the theory. Be sure to indicate which part of the theo- ry it corresponds with (6 points)

f. Part 6: Conclusion (5 points)
i. Following basic writing guidelines conclude your paper.

5. Make sure your paper is in the proper format. For each incorrect formatting, you will lose .5 points. (3 points)

12 point font throughout Times New Roman
1 inch margin

• • •

Page 2 of 3

Theories of Personality (PSY 377)

Fall 2018

double space
left side alignment

Make sure you follow proper sentence mechanics (3 points)

grammar
spelling
punctuation
sentence and paragraph structure

Coherence is important! Make sure your paragraphs flow. Make sure you have topic sentences. Use transition sentences! (3 points)

Reminder: Going to the Writing Center gives you an additional 3 points on your paper. Make sure you make an appointment ASAP and attach the receipt with the hard copy.