PROMPT 19: the Protagonist Is the Main Character in a Work of Literature Who Often Changes

PROMPTS - page 1 4/5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY

The following are prompts taken from past MCAS tests. You will notice that each prompt is set up following the format for the introduction for a 4/5 paragraph essay which is: motivator, thesis, blueprint.

The first sentence in the prompt is a broad general statement about what the essay is to be about and this is the motivator. Think of it as your cool and captivating green beginning. If you can not create your own motivator, then use the one from the prompt, so you show the reader that you know what to do. If you can add some of your own words, that is even better.

All the prompts begin the next sentence with the words: From a work of literature you have read in or out of school. Cross this out. The rest of this sentence tells you what you are to write about and this is your thesis. This sentence is red hot because it is your topic. Use as much wording as you can from the prompt, and add the title of the piece about which you are writing and the author’s full name.

All the prompts begin the last sentence with the words: In a well- developed composition. Cross this out as you surely are not going to write a bad composition. What you have let is the blueprint. This sentence is blue for obviously reasons. Many times this sentence will clearly state three things that you must discuss to support your thesis. If so, use the wording from the prompt and create your blueprint. If not, read carefully what they are telling you to do, and create your blueprint using as much of the prompt’s wording as you can.

For the following prompts, read each carefully, decide which novel you will write about, and create an introduction following the motivator, thesis, blueprint format.

By the time you finish these, you will be an expert; and no prompt on the MCAS will give you any trouble.

PROMPT 1: The protagonist is the main character in a work of literature who often PROMPTS - page 2 4/5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY changes in some important way by the end of the novel.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a protagonist who changes in some important way by the end of the work. In a well-developed composition, identify the protagonist, and explain why the protagonist changes in some important way by the end of the work. 2003

PROMPT 2: In literature as in life, people can make choices and must live with the consequences of these choices.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select one character who makes a choice. In a well-developed composition, identify the character’s choice and explain what happens as a result of the choice. 2003 make-up

PROMPT 3: Heroism can mean different things to different people. Literature is full of characters that can be considered heroic.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a charter that in your opinion, is heroic. In a well-developed composition, identify that character and explain why he or she is heroic. 2004

PROMPT 3: The difference between what one expects and what actually happens, or irony, is often an important part of literature.

Select a work of literature you have read in or out of school, in which there is a

PROMPT 5: Works of literature often feature characters who overcome hardship and misfortune.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who overcomes hardship and misfortune. In a well-developed composition, explain how the character overcomes adversity and why this success is important to the work of literature. 2007

PROMPT6: Often in works of literature, characters have a mixture of positive and negative traits.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who blends positive and negative traits. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character demonstrates both positive and negative traits, and explain how the character’s traits are important to the work of literature. 2007 make-up

PROMPT 7: In many works of literature, a character must adjust to life in a new PROMPTS - page 3 4/5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY environment.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who must adjust to life in a new environment. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character adjusts to life in a new environment, and explain how the character’s adjustment relates to the work as a whole. 2008

PROMPT 8: In many works of literature, a character goes on a journey that changes his or her life.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who goes on a journey that changes his or her life. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the journey changes the character’s life, and explain how the journey relates to the work as a whole. 2008 make-up

PROMPT 9: In many works of literature, a character rebels against a role that others expect him or her to play.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who rebels against a role others expect him or her to play. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character rebels against others’ expectations, and explain how the character’s rebellion relates to the work as a whole. 2008 Nov. make-up

PROMPT 10: Works of literature often feature characters with the ability to inspire or lead other.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character with the ability to inspire or lead others. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character inspires or leads other, and explain why this character’s ability is significant to the meaning of the work of literature. 2006

PROMPT 11: Works of literature often feature young characters who are in conflict with the adult world. From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a young character who is in conflict with the adult world. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character is in conflict with the adult world, and explain how the conflict relates to the work as a whole. 2007 Nov. make-up

PROMPT 12: Works of literature often feature characters that question the values of the PROMPTS - page 4 4/5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY societies in which they live.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who questions the balues of the society in which he or she lives. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe what the character question about society, and explain why the character’s questioning is important to the meaning of the work of literature. 2006

PROMPT 13: Often in works of literature, characters experience conflicts with other characters, society, nature, or themselves.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who experiences a conflict.. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe the conflict, and explain how the conflict is important to the work of literature. 2006

PROMPT 14: Often in works of literature, a character influences others in good or bad ways.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who has the power to influence other characters in good or bad ways. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character influences others in good or bad ways, and explain how the character’s behavior is important to the work of literature. 2007 Nov. make- up

PROMPT15: Works of literature often feature a character who learns or teaches something important.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, identify a character who learns or teaches something important. In a well-developed composition, describe what the character learns or teaches, and explain how that learning or teaching is important to the work of literature. 2007 March make-up

PROMPT 16: Often in works of literature, a character faces a crisis that may be physical or moral.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who faces a physical or moral crisis. In a well-developed composition, identify the character and the crisis, describe how the character faces the crisis, and explain how the crisis relates to the work as a whole. 2006

PROMPT 17: Works of literature often feature characters whose pride or selfishness PROMPTS - page 5 4/5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY creates problems.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who pride or selfishness creates problems. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character’s pride or selfishness creates problems, and explain how the character’s experience relates to the work as a whole. 2009

PROMPT 18: Often in works of literature, a character is defeated by forces that are beyond his or her control.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who is defeated by forces that are beyond his or her control. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character is defeated, and explain how character’s defeat relates to the work as a whole. 2009

PROMPT 19: In many works of literature, a character’s position in society changes.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character whose position in society changes. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character’s position in society changes, and explain how the character’s change in position relates to the work as a whole. 2009

PROMPT 20: Often in works of literature, a character learns or discovers something that changes his of her life.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who learn or discovers something that changes his or her life. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe what the character learns or discovers, and explain how the discovery relates to the work as a whole. 2009

PROMPT 21: Often in works of literature, a character’s life is affected by a single act or mistake.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character whose life is affected by a single act or mistake. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how he or she is affected by a single act or mistake, and explain how the character’s experience relates ot the work as a whole. 2010

PROMPT 22: Often in works of literature, characters gain wisdom through experience. PROMPTS - page 6 4/5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character gains wisdom through experience. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character gains wisdom throught experience, and explain how this wisdom relates to the work as a whole. 2010

PROMPT 23: Often in works of literature, a character is influenced by his or her family.

From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who is defeated by influenced by his or her family. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character is influenced by his or her family, and explain how character’s experience relates to the work as a whole. 2010