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Mr. A's Writing Tools
writingtools.org
Writing Assignment
A Christmas Carol
Standard: Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
What to Do
Assignment OverviewCharles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" is one of the most beloved stories in the The Ghost of Christmas PresentThrough the Streets of London
1
The Ghost of Christmas Present led Scrooge through the streets of London on Christmas morning. They were invisible to all who passed, yet Scrooge could see and hear everything. The Ghost was a giant figure, robed in green, with a warm and generous face. Where it walked, it sprinkled a kind of incense from its torch, and when quarreling people caught the scent, they grew cheerful at once.
2
"Spirit," said Scrooge, with an interest he had never felt before, "tell me if the poor family we saw will live or die." The Cratchit Family
3
The Ghost transported them to the home of Bob Cratchit, Scrooge's underpaid clerk. The house was small and worn, yet decorated with whatever brightness the family could manage. Mrs. Cratchit set the table with cracked plates, and the children wore patched clothing. But the room was alive with warmth and laughter.
4
Tiny Tim, the youngest Cratchit child, sat close to his father's side. He was a small, frail boy who walked with a crutch. Despite his condition, he was cheerful and spoke with a gentle kindness that touched everyone around him.
5
"Spirit," said Scrooge, with a growing concern that surprised even himself, "tell me if Tiny Tim will live." The Ghost's Warning
6
"I see a vacant seat," replied the Ghost, "in the poor chimney corner, and a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved. If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, the child will die."
7
"No, no," said Scrooge. "Oh no, kind Spirit! Say he will be spared."
8
"If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, none other of my race will find him here," returned the Ghost. "What then? If he is to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."
9
Scrooge hung his head to hear his own words quoted by the Ghost, and was overcome with penitence and grief.
10
"Man," said the Ghost, "if man you be in heart, forbear that wicked pretence. Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die? It may be that in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man's child."
11
Scrooge bent before the Ghost's rebuke and trembled. He lifted his eyes when he heard his own name spoken by Bob Cratchit. A Toast to Mr. Scrooge
12
"Mr. Scrooge!" said Bob. "I'll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!"
13
"The Founder of the Feast indeed!" cried Mrs. Cratchit, reddening. "I wish I had him here. I'd give him a piece of my mind to feast upon."
14
"My dear," said Bob, "the children! Christmas Day."
15
"It should be Christmas Day, I am sure," said she, "on which one drinks the health of such an odious, stingy, hard, unfeeling man as Mr. Scrooge. You know he is, Robert! Nobody knows it better than you do, poor fellow!"
16
Scrooge watched in silence as even Bob could not defend him with any real conviction. The family toasted his name with no enthusiasm, and the mention of Scrooge cast a dark shadow over the party for a full five minutes. Vocabulary Bank
Writing Steps
1
Identify Key Moments
Identify the key moments in this passage:
1. Key dialogue: List 1-2 important lines of dialogue. Who says them, and why do they stand out? 2. Key incidents: List 1-2 important events or actions. What happens, and why is it significant? 3. Turning points: Which moments seem to change the direction of the story or a character's path? Be specific - point to exact moments in the text, not general summaries. We are going to analyze how specific lines of dialogue and incidents drive this story forward.
How do Scrooge's lines of dialogue in this scene reveal changes in his character and provoke his later decisions? Start by identifying the key moments - pay close attention to places where something shifts in the plot, in a character's understanding, or in the direction of the story.
Scoring Guidance — Step 1
Look for:
Main Idea Detail / Evidence 1 Detail / Evidence 2 Detail / Evidence 3
2
Analyze How Dialogue Functions
Choose the most important line or exchange of dialogue from the passage and analyze it:
1. The dialogue: Quote the exact words (or closely paraphrase them). Who says this, and to whom? 2. Does it propel the action? What happens as a result of these words being spoken? 3. Does it reveal character? What does it show about the speaker's personality, values, motivations, or feelings? 4. Does it provoke a decision? What decision does it lead to, and for which character? Analyze at least TWO of these three functions. Now analyze how specific lines of dialogue function in this passage. Dialogue can propel the action, reveal character, or provoke a decision - and a single line can serve more than one purpose at the same time.
How do Scrooge's lines of dialogue in this scene reveal changes in his character and provoke his later decisions? 📘 Three jobs dialogue can do: Dialogue in literature can serve three key purposes:
- Propel the action: the words spoken cause something to happen next. - Reveal character: the words show us who this person really is - their values, fears, motivations, or personality. - Provoke a decision: the words push a character toward making a choice.
Scoring Guidance — Step 2
Look for:
Quote the dialogue as precisely as you can
Think about what the words SHOW, not just what they SAY
Sometimes what a character does NOT say is just as revealing
Consider tone, word choice, and what the dialogue reveals beneath the surface
Sentence Starters
In the text, the author shows that ___.
The author writes, "___," which shows ___.
This is important because ___.
Overall, the text shows that ___.
3
Analyze How Incidents Function
Choose the most significant incident from the passage and analyze it:
1. The incident: Describe what happens. Be specific about the event or action. 2. Does it propel the action? How does this event change the direction of the story? 3. Does it reveal character? What does this event show about a character that we might not have known before? 4. Does it provoke a decision? What decision is provoked, and why does this incident make it necessary? Analyze at least TWO of these three functions. Now analyze how specific incidents (events, actions, or occurrences) function in this passage. Like dialogue, an incident can propel the action, reveal character, or provoke a decision.
Focus on the most significant incident - the one that has the greatest impact on the story. 📘 Three jobs an incident can do: Like dialogue, incidents serve key purposes:
- Propel the action: the event causes the story to move in a new direction. - Reveal character: the event shows us something about who a character truly is, especially under pressure. - Provoke a decision: the event forces a character to make a choice.
Scoring Guidance — Step 3
Look for:
Choose the incident with the BIGGEST impact on the story
Think about cause and effect - what does this incident set in motion?
Characters reveal their true selves through how they respond to incidents
Decisions provoked by incidents often define the rest of 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 ___.
4
Explain the Combined Impact
Explain how dialogue and incidents work together in this passage:
1. Connection: How does the dialogue you analyzed connect to the incident you analyzed? 2. Combined impact: What do the dialogue and incident TOGETHER reveal about the characters and the story's direction? 3. Narrative significance: Why are these moments important to the overall story? What would be lost if they were removed? Use analytical language: - "When combined, these moments show that..." - "Without this dialogue/incident, the story would..." Now think about how dialogue and incidents work TOGETHER in this passage. Do they reinforce each other, or create tension? Great literary analysis connects individual moments to the bigger picture.
How do Scrooge's lines of dialogue in this scene reveal changes in his character and provoke his later decisions?
Scoring Guidance — Step 4
Look for:
Think about how words and events interact in this passage
What do the dialogue and incident reveal TOGETHER that neither shows alone?
Consider what would be missing from the story without these moments
Great analysis connects individual moments to the bigger picture
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 Complete Analysis
Write a complete analysis paragraph (5-8 sentences) that:
1. Introduces the key dialogue or incident you are analyzing 2. Analyzes how the dialogue functions (propels action, reveals character, or provokes a decision) 3. Analyzes how the incident functions (propels action, reveals character, or provokes a decision) 4. Explains how these moments work together to shape the narrative 5. Concludes with what these moments ultimately reveal about Scrooge's transformation through dialogue and incidents Use academic language and literary terminology. Support every claim with specific evidence from the text. Now bring everything together into a complete analysis that answers:
How do Scrooge's lines of dialogue in this scene reveal changes in his character and provoke his later decisions? This is literary analysis - show how specific moments of dialogue and incident drive the story.
Scoring Guidance — Step 5
Target: ~100 words
Look for:
Open by identifying the specific moments you are analyzing
Analyze FUNCTION, not just description - how do these moments WORK in the story?
Connect dialogue analysis to incident analysis
End with the bigger picture - what do these moments reveal?
Sentence Starters
In the text, the author shows that ___.
The author writes, "___," which shows ___.
This is important because ___.
Overall, the text shows that ___.
Target: about 100 words
Self-Check Rubric
Before You Turn InI completed the planning step
I completed Step 2: Analyze How Dialogue Functions
I completed Step 3: Analyze How Incidents Function
I completed Step 4: Explain the Combined Impact
I completed Step 5: Write Your Complete Analysis
My write your complete analysis is about 100 words
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?
For the Teacher
Teacher Guide — A Christmas CarolRL.8.3 — Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision. · Grade 8 · ~40 min
Scoring Rubric
Step-by-Step Coaching Notes
Step 1 — Identify Key Moments
Step 2 — Analyze How Dialogue Functions
Step 3 — Analyze How Incidents Function
Step 4 — Explain the Combined Impact
Step 5 — Write Your Complete Analysis
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