| Mr. A's Writing Tools · writingtools.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
W
Mr. A's Writing Tools
writingtools.org
Writing Assignment
The Ugly Duckling: A Character Study
Standard: Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text.
What to Do
Assignment OverviewYou're about to read one of the most beloved stories ever written! It's about The Ugly Duckling
1
A mother duck waited for her eggs to hatch. The ducklings broke through one by one, but the last egg was bigger. The creature that tumbled out was large, gray, and clumsy.
2
"What an ugly duckling!" the other ducks said, pecking and pushing him away. "You don't belong here," his siblings told him. No matter what he did, no one wanted him around.
3
Heartbroken, the duckling ran away. He wandered through marshes and fields, cold and alone. Wild ducks laughed at him. A hen asked, "Can you do anything useful?" The duckling hung his head and left.
4
Winter came. He nearly froze in an icy pond. A farmer brought him home, but the frightened bird knocked over a milk pail and flapped into the butter. The farmer's wife chased him into the snow.
5
Through the long winter, the duckling survived alone. When spring arrived, he stretched his wings and found he could fly. He landed on a pond where three swans glided across the water. "They'll chase me away too," he thought. But when he looked down, he saw his reflection. He was not ugly anymore. He was a swan.
6
The swans swam to greet him. Children called, "The new one is the most beautiful of all!" He thought, "I never dreamed I could be this happy when I was the ugly duckling." Writing Steps
1
Meet the Characters
In your own words, tell us:
- Who are the main characters in this story? - What is each character like? (Give a quick description of each one.) - What happens in the story? You can use bullet points or short sentences. There's no wrong way to answer this! Read the story carefully. Pay close attention to the characters -- what they say, what they do, and how they act.
Then think about this question: How does the ugly duckling change throughout the story, and what causes these changes? Before we start comparing, let's make sure we know who the characters are and what happens in the story.
Scoring Guidance — Step 1
Look for:
Main Idea Detail / Evidence 1 Detail / Evidence 2 Detail / Evidence 3
2
What Are They Like?
Pick TWO characters from the story. For each one, describe:
1. Character 1: What is this character like? What do they say or do that shows their personality? 2. Character 2: What is this character like? What do they say or do that shows their personality? Use details from the story! Try starting with: - "In the story, [character] is... because the text says..." - "[Character] shows that they are... when they..." - "The author describes [character] as..." Now let's dig deeper into each character. Good readers pay attention to what characters say, do, think, and feel to figure out what they are really like.
Think about: How does the ugly duckling change throughout the story, and what causes these changes? Look for specific details in the story that show what each character is like. These details are your EVIDENCE.
Scoring Guidance — Step 2
Look for:
What words would you use to describe each character?
What does each character SAY that shows what they are like?
What does each character DO that shows their personality?
Can you find a specific detail or quote from the story?
Sentence Starters
In the text, the author shows that ___.
The author writes, "___," which shows ___.
This is important because ___.
Overall, the text shows that ___.
3
How Are They Similar and Different?
Compare and contrast the two characters:
1. How are they SIMILAR? What do they have in common? (at least one similarity) 2. How are they DIFFERENT? What makes them different from each other? (at least one difference) 3. What details from the story show these similarities or differences? Try using these phrases: - "Both characters are alike because..." - "However, [Character 1] is... while [Character 2] is..." - "One big difference is that..." - "The story shows this when..." Great job describing the characters! Now let's compare and contrast them.
Compare means finding ways they are ALIKE (similar). Contrast means finding ways they are DIFFERENT. Think about the duckling's journey and use specific details from the story to support your ideas. How does the ugly duckling change throughout the story, and what causes these changes?
Scoring Guidance — Step 3
Look for:
What do the two characters have in common?
What is the biggest difference between them?
Can you find a moment in the story that shows how they are different?
Think about their actions, words, feelings, or choices
Sentence Starters
In the text, the author shows that ___.
The author writes, "___," which shows ___.
This is important because ___.
Overall, the text shows that ___.
4
Why Does It Matter?
Write 2-3 sentences explaining:
1. How do the characters' differences affect what happens in the story? 2. Would the story be different if the characters were more alike? How? 3. What do we learn from seeing these characters side by side? Try using phrases like: - "Because [Character 1] is... and [Character 2] is..., the story..." - "Their differences matter because..." - "If both characters were the same, the story would..." - "By comparing them, we can see that..." You've found great similarities and differences! Now let's think about WHY those differences matter.
Characters' personalities and choices affect what happens in the story. When characters are different from each other, those differences often drive the plot or teach us something. Think about: How do the differences between these characters affect what happens in the story?
Scoring Guidance — Step 4
Look for:
Why did the author make these characters different?
How do their differences change what happens in the story?
What lesson or idea comes from comparing them?
Sentence Starters
In the text, the author shows that ___.
The author writes, "___," which shows ___.
This is important because ___.
Overall, the text shows that ___.
5
Write Your Character Analysis
Write a complete paragraph (5-7 sentences) that:
1. Introduces the characters you are comparing 2. Describes what each character is like, using details from the story 3. Explains how they are similar and different 4. Tells why their differences matter to the story Make sure your ideas flow and connect to each other! Awesome work! Now let's combine everything into one complete paragraph.
Your paragraph should answer: How does the ugly duckling change throughout the story, and what causes these changes? Include: - Who the characters are - Their traits (with details from the story) - How they are similar and different - Why their differences matter to the story
Scoring Guidance — Step 5
Look for:
Start by introducing the characters and the story
Use details and quotes from the story as evidence
Include at least one similarity and one difference
End by explaining why comparing them helps us understand the story
Sentence Starters
In the text, the author shows that ___.
The author writes, "___," which shows ___.
This is important because ___.
Overall, the text shows that ___.
Self-Check Rubric
Before You Turn InI completed the planning step
I completed Step 2: What Are They Like?
I completed Step 3: How Are They Similar and Different?
I completed Step 4: Why Does It Matter?
I completed Step 5: Write Your Character Analysis
I re-read my writing and fixed any spelling or grammar mistakes
I am proud of this work
ReflectionWhat was the hardest part of this assignment? What would you do differently next time? Want the AI-coached version of this assignment?
Get step-by-step AI feedback on student writing — free for teachers at writingtools.org. Same assignment, with grade-level rubric scoring, revision coaching, and printable reports.
writingtools.org/printables/character5_the_ugly_duckling_v1
|