PENTAGON PRINTOUT ******Click here to open Pentagon*****
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PENTAGON #1
Write the title and the author of your book on this PENTAGON. Plan the lettering to use up the entire space.
- -title
- -author
- -other details? (Number of pages, year published, sequel etc.)
Criteria
Title + Author – easy to read / spelled correctly
– big
Other Details – interesting
– not too many
Attractive – colourful
– pictures
Example: Title: The Giver • Author: Lois Lowry • 179 pages, published 1993
PENTAGON #2
Write out a list of characters in your novel.
OR
Write four facts about the author of your novel.
- • Main characters
- • Supporting characters
- • Relationship between characters? (brother of, friend of, enemy of , etc)
- OR
- • Four or more facts
Example characters: Jonas, The Giver, Lily, Mother, Father.
Example author facts: Country of birth, other books, awards, interesting life detail.
PENTAGON #3
Use a t-chart to describe the main character in the story in point form. Include both physical and personality characteristics in your description.
- • set up chart like below
- • name main character
- • five or more descriptive words for physical characteristics
- • five or more descriptive words for personality characteristics
Main character’s name
| PHYSICAL | PERSONALITY |
|---|---|
| tall, brown hair, always wearing a red hoodie | kind, curious, nervous, brave when it matters |
Example main character name: Jonas
PENTAGON #4
Draw a picture of a map of the setting of the story. You may choose to show the entire setting or an important part of the setting in detail. For example, you may choose to do a map of the town or area where the story takes place and label important locations, or you may choose to draw a detailed map of a specific location where important events in the story take place, like the living room of a house.
- • map
- • mapping criteria followed below
| Criteria for map | Details/Specifics |
|---|---|
| – easy to read and follow | – looks good, easy to read (legible), neat |
| – labelling is accurate | – accurate information, title, symbols, correct spelling |
| – map is complete | – coloured, direction arrow, legend/key, border |
Example: map of the town with school, main character’s house, park, and river labelled.
PENTAGON #5
Draw or colour a picture of the most exciting, the funniest or the saddest part of the story. In a short expository paragraph, explain why it is the most exciting, saddest, funniest part etc..
- • picture
- • paragraph
- • consider expository paragraph criteria
Criteria Details/Specifics
– follows the organization of expository writing
– uses language effectively
– shows proofreading skills
– thesis statement
– argument sentences
– concluding sentence
– specific details to support argument
– linking words
– no spelling errors
– no grammar errors
Example: Draw the scene where the main character discovers a secret, then explain why that moment changes the story.
PENTAGON #6
Draw a plot line for your novel. Do it by chapter, or a general overview. In point form below the plot line, briefly tell about each of the parts of the plot. Include: introduction, conflict, rising action, climax and resolution.
- INTRODUCTION: Sam and Sally met at a grocery store. They became good friends.
- CONFLICT: Sam is a werewolf! Every full moon he changes into a hideous beast and terrorizes the village. He kills chickens, people wonder if he’ll start killing people.
- RISING ACTION: Sally decides that she loves Sam and wants to help him. The village people are trying to find out who the werewolf is so they can keep him in a cage. Sally hides Sam in her cellar.
- CLIMAX: Sally meets a witch who makes a potion that cures werewolves.
- RESOLUTION: Sally and Sam get married.
Example: Use a simple rising line with labels for each part and short points like the ones above.
PENTAGON #7
In literature, there are different types of conflict: Person vs. Person; Person vs. Self; Person vs. Nature; and Person vs. Society. Generally, there is some form of each type of conflict in each novel. Identify each of the four types of conflict in your novel, and briefly explain each one. Do this in a chart like the one below.
| Type of Conflict | Example from the Novel |
|---|---|
| Conflict: Person vs. Person |
Benjamin Martin vs Captain Taverton In The Patriot , Benjamin and the Captain are two main characters. Captain Taverton fights for the British and Benjamin fights for the rebel colonists. Taverton is a brutal man who uses gory, brutal tactics to win battles. At one point, he kills Benjamin’s son Thomas and sends his other son Gabriel to be hanged. These two men battle against each other for the entire story. |
Example: Add three more rows for Person vs Self, Person vs Nature, and Person vs Society from your own novel.
PENTAGON #7
Writers do different things to develop characters through their writing. Find three different passages in your story that help to develop the reader’s understanding of a character and briefly explain how the author developed the character in each passage. Do this in a chart like the one below.
| QUOTE | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| “Stop!” Mr. Stevens said in a loud, angry voice. “Get into your seats and please listen to these directions,” he added in a kind way. pg. # |
In this passage, it is easy to see that Mr. Stevens can get angry but also that he is nice and kind. The author shows this through the dialogue and the characters’ words. He also uses descriptive words to show how Mr. Stevens acts. |
Example: Add two more rows with different quotes and explanations from your novel.
PENTAGON #8
For the four types of conflict outlines on pentagon #7, briefly explain what the resolution to the conflict was. Again, use a chart like the one below.
| Type / Resolution | Details |
|---|---|
| Resolution: Person vs. Person Benjamin Martin vs Captain Taverton |
In The Patriot, Benjamin Martin and Captain Taverton are against each other for the entire story. Martin causes many British defects, and Taverton terrorizes Martin’s family. They challenge each other to see who will kill who by the end of the war. In the end, Benjamin Martin kills Captain Taverton in a lengthy hand-to-hand battle. |
Example: Add rows for the resolutions to Person vs Self, Person vs Nature, and Person vs Society.
PENTAGON #8
Write a persuasive paragraph to argue whether or not the setting the author of your story chose for the setting of his/her novel was a good or bad choice.
- • paragraph
- • consider persuasive paragraph criteria
Criteria Details/Specifics
– follows the organization of persuasive writing
– uses language effectively
– shows proofreading skills
– thesis statement
– argument sentences
– concluding sentence
– specific details to support argument
– linking words
– no spelling errors
– no grammar errors
Example: Argue that the snowy, isolated setting makes the story more suspenseful.
PENTAGON #9
Compose a poem based on your novel. It may be easier if you choose a part of the story that is particularly appealing to you.
- • poem
- • consider these criteria
– creative
– shows insight and understanding of your story
Example: A free-verse poem from the main character’s point of view during a key moment.
PENTAGON #10
In one or two paragraphs, write a different ending to your story.
- • paragraph
- • consider narrative writing criteria
Criteria Details/Specifics
– a new resolution to the story
– uses language effectively
– shows proofreading skills
– the conflict (problem) is solved
– creative
– makes sense
– descriptive language
– dialogue often included
– no spelling errors
– no grammar errors
Example: Change who wins, who survives, or what choice the main character makes at the end.
PENTAGON #11
Make up a report card for your novel, include areas such as EXCITEMENT, CHARACTERS, PLOT, INTRODUCTION, ACTION, CLIMAX, RESOLUTION, CONFLICT, FLOW, TONE or any that you feel are important. Give each area a grade, and a brief comment why the grade was given.
- • include at least 5 areas
- • tell why you chose each grade (give reasons for the grade you have given)
| Area | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| EXCITEMENT | A | Many surprising events kept me interested. |
Example: Add more rows for CHARACTERS, PLOT, CLIMAX, etc.
PENTAGON #12
Choose one character that you admire or dislike. In a short expository paragraph, describe the qualities of this character and explain why you admire or dislike the character.
- • paragraph
- • consider expository paragraph criteria
Criteria Details/Specifics
– follows the organization of expository writing
– uses language effectively
– shows proofreading skills
– thesis statement
– argument sentences
– concluding sentence
– specific details to support argument
– linking words
– no spelling errors
– no grammar errors
Example: Explain why you admire a character’s bravery or dislike their selfishness, with examples from the book.