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The following outline will walk you through the process of writing a five paragraph character analysis of Ray Kinsella.

Pre-Writing:

Before beginning to write your draft you need to take some time to jot down some ideas about the character of Ray. Usually when we are asked to do a character analysis we look at what the character does, at what the character says, and at what is said about the character. Begin your pre-writing by writing down the things that Ray does. For example:

-builds a baseball diamond in his cornfield

-he does what the "voice" tells him to do

-he travels across the country to meet J.D. Salinger

-he argues with Mark about the farm

-he leaves his job to take up farming etc.

Next look at what Ray says in the novel. Since this novel uses first person narration, it is very important to look at what Ray says. What he says will give you some idea about his character. Once you have done this look at what others say about him.

Once you have outlined the above, look for words that you think best describe Ray. (Hint: Be specific. Avoid saying things like, "Ray is nice". This is not specific. Try using a thesaurus to help you find words that best express what Ray is like.

Most of you have said some of the following things about Ray:

-Ray is a dreamer.

-Ray has childlike innocence.

-Ray follows his dreams.

-Ray is determined.

-Ray follows his dreams.

-Ray is an idealist.

-Ray is a loving person.

-Ray believes in pursuing his dream.

Developing the Thesis Statement:

Now what you need to do is to begin formulating your thesis. Remember a thesis must contain a limited subject, an opinion and should contain a blueprint or directional statement. The thesis statement does not have to be one sentence. The blueprint or directional statement can be in a separate sentence.

At this point you should have a list of what Ray does, says and what is said about him. You also have made a list of statements about Ray's character. You will use this to formulate your thesis statement and to provide you with support.

Thesis: In the novel Shoeless Joe, Ray Kinsella is an idealist who believes in the power of dreams and the ability to chase a dream and make it come true.

Once you have a thesis, the next thing is to begin developing your support. (Oops! I forgot the blueprint.) Actually, sometimes it is a good idea to take a look at how you are going to support your thesis before you actually develop your blueprint.

What you have to do at this point is ask yourself the following questions: What is there in the novel to support my thesis statement? What is there in the novel that shows that Ray is an idealist? What is there in the novel that shows that Ray believes in the power of dreams? What is there in the novel that shows that Ray believes in the ability to chase a dream and make it come true?

Once you have answered these questions you will have an outline for your middle paragraph support as well as blueprint for your thesis statement.

Thesis: In the novel Shoeless Joe, Ray Kinsella is an idealist who believes in the power of dreams and the ability to chase a dream and make it come true. Blueprint: Ray's idealistic nature can be seen when he plows under his field to build his baseball field ; when he travel across the country to meet J.D. Salinger and finally in the last chapter when he meets his father.

You might be asking, "Where did your blueprint come from"?

I chose three places in the novel that I felt would prove that Ray is an idealist.

1. When Ray plows under his field, this shows that he believes in the power of dreams. Someone who did not would not follow what his heart told him to do.

2. Someone who did not believe in dreams would not drive across the country to meet someone he/she did not know.

3. His love for his father and his need to heal past hurts is so great that it makes his dream come true. He does get to meet his father at the end of the novel.

You now have a thesis statement and a blueprint and a basic outline for your three middle paragraphs

At this point you want to begin working on the middle paragraphs. Begin by developing the topic sentence for each of the paragraphs. Remember that these topic sentences should have a transition and a reminder of the thesis.

Topic Sentence 1: At the beginning of the novel, Ray's belief in the power of dreams of the novel gives him the courage to plow under his cornfield and build a left field for Shoeless Joe Jackson, a baseball player who had been dead for years.

Topic Sentence 2: Later in the novel when Ray hears the voice say, "Ease his pain", Ray idealistic nature sends him off in search of J.D. Salinger.

Topic Sentence 3: Finally, it is Ray's idealistic nature and his belief in the ability to chase a dream and make it come true that allows him to be reunited with his father at the end of the novel.

The next step is to fill in the support for each of the middle paragraph. Try to include at least two or three items of support for each of the middle paragraphs.

Once this is finished you are ready to write your reworded thesis statement for you concluding paragraph.

Reworded Thesis Statement: Ray's idealism and his belief in the power of dreams does in fact allow Ray to chase a dream and make it come true.

Yes! Yes! Yes! We are almost finished. You are almost ready to write your first draft. THAT'S RIGHT! YOUR FIRST DRAFT. Most of what you have done so far is pre-writing. You have been thinking and writing down your thoughts. Now you are almost ready to put it all down in draft form.

The last thing you have to do is write your motivator and your clincher.

The motivator comes at the beginning of your introduction. Basically, you want to introduce your reader to your topic. Sometimes you can simply give a brief summary of the novel that leads into your topic. We will look at some motivating techniques in class.

The clincher comes at the very end of your essay. Here you sum up and try to leave your ready with something to think about. One technique that is sometimes overused is to end the essay with a question. If you do this make sure that it fits.

There you have it. I hope that this will be helpful. Good luck.