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English II End-of-Course Test Constructed Response Lesson
Characterization Question From diagnostic test: Based on paragraph 4, what can be inferred about Stepan Arkadyevitch’s character? Use evidence from the selection to support your response.
Score Criteria
2 • Analyzes Stepan’s character based on paragraph 4
• Uses at least two inferences from the selection for support
• Writes a response that analyzes what the text says explicitly and makes inferences drawn from the text
1 • Analyzes Stepan’s character based on paragraph 4
• Uses at least one inference from the selection for support
• Writes a response that may or may not analyze what the text says explicitly and makes inferences drawn from the text
0 • Fails to analyze Stepan’s character based on paragraph 4
• Fails to use at least one inference from the selection for support
• Writes a response that fails to analyze what the text says explicitly and fails to make inferences drawn from the text.

Paragraph 4: After filling for three years the post of president of one of the government boards at Moscow, Stepan Arkadyevitch had won the respect, as well as the liking, of his fellow officials, subordinates, and superiors, and all who had had business with him. The principal qualities in Stepan Arkadyevitch which had gained him this universal respect in the service consisted, in the first place, of his extreme indulgence for others, founded on a consciousness of his own shortcomings; secondly, of his perfect liberalism—not the liberalism he read of in the papers, but the liberalism that was in his blood, in virtue of which he treated all men perfectly equally and exactly the same, whatever their fortune or calling might be; and thirdly—the most important point—his complete indifference to the business in which he was engaged, in consequence of which he was never carried away, and never made mistakes.

inference = deduction, conclusion, interpretation
A typical student answer I graded:
Stephen was well liked.
One best student answer I graded (but still a 1 because it needs two examples):
From what I’ve read about Stepan Arkayevitch I am expecting him to be playful, but serious, in a sense. Stepan seems to be a man of incomprehensible intellect and it seems that his smarts will make him a great man. In the paragraph, it is stated that, “The principle qualities in Stepan which had gained him the universal respect in the service consisted, in the first place, of his extreme indulgence for others” (Anna Karinina chapter 5 paragraph 4). This tells the reader that Stepan is a man that believes everyone is equal, which is a quality of a very successful man.
An example from Gilgamesh:
Based on the text, what inference can be made about Gilgamesh’s character?
3rd period example
Based on the text, I can infer that Gilgamesh is a very confident character because of his conquering the different tasks thrown at him on his quest. For example, he consistently states his powers to his adversaries whom he meets. He tells Siduri, “I will break in your door and burst in your gate, for I am Gilgamesh who seized and killed the Bull of Heaven.” Gilgamesh shows his aggression by boasting about breaking in Siduri’s gate. Such aggression displays his confident character. Another example of his confidence occurs when he tells the Man-Scorpion to open the gate: “Although I should go in sorrow and in pain, with sighing and with weeping, still I must go.” His determination to proceed with his journey to get everlasting life shows his confidence. His examples with Siduri and the Man-Scorpion show his confident character.
Same answer abbreviated
Gilgamesh is a very confident character . For example, he consistently states his powers (accomplishments). He tells Siduri, “I will break in your door and burst in your gate.” Gilgamesh shows his confident character through his aggression by boasting about breaking in Siduri’s gate. Another example of his confidence occurs when he tells the Man-Scorpion to open the gate: “Although I should go in sorrow …, still I must go.” His determination to proceed with his journey shows his confidence. His examples with Siduri and the Man-Scorpion show his confident character.
2nd period example
Based on the text, one can infer that Gilgamesh’s character is obdurate. For example, when he approaches Siduri at her mountaintop, he does not heed her warning to be content and replies, “How can I be silent, how can I rest, when Enkidu whom I love is dust, and I too shall die and be laid in the earth.” Not resting shows his obdurate character because he wants to continue on his quest and conquer his mortality. Another example of his obdurate character occurs at the gate guarded by the Man-Scorpions. Gilgamesh says to them, “I would not give up his body for burial. I thought my friend would come back because of my weeping.” Gilgamesh’s words that suggest how his own wishes can overcome the reality of death display that he is obdurate. From these examples of believing that wishes can overcome reality and that the quest must go on, one can easily infer that Gilgamesh is an obdurate character.
Another example from last semester: Gilgamesh is a bold, confident, and determined yet humble and caring hero. (paragraph’s topic sentence) . (introduces quote) The text says, “Bitterly Gilgamesh wept for his friend Enkidu” (25). Weeping clearly shows how much he cares for his friend. (explain quote to the topic sentence) However, Gilgamesh does more than simply care. He decides to take action when he says, (introduces quote) “How can I rest, how can I be silent, when Enkidu whom I love is dust” (28). His words show his character traits of boldness and determination (explain quote to the topic sentence). Determined, he therefore proclaims, (introduce quote) “I will go as best I can to find Utnapushtim whom they call the faraway, for he has entered the assembly of the gods” (25). Gilgamesh’s quest to meet the others who know the answer about eternal life shows his bold determination. (explain the quote) The text proves Gilgamesh’s character is one of bold, confident, determined and humble caring. (concluding sentence to paragraph)

(paragraph’s topic sentence) Gilgamesh is a bold, confident, and determined yet humble and caring hero.

(introduces quote) One example of his character trait of confidence and caring is the fact that he goes on a quest to find eternal life in honor of the death of his best friend, Enkidu. The text says,

(quote) “Bitterly Gilgamesh wept for his friend Enkidu” (25).

(explain quote’s connection to the topic sentence) Weeping clearly shows how much he cares for his friend.

(introduces quote) However, Gilgamesh does more than simply care. He decides to take action when he says,

(quote) “How can I rest, how can I be silent, when Enkidu whom I love is dust” (28).

(explain quote’s connection to the topic sentence) His words show his character traits of boldness and determination.

(introduce quote) Determined, he therefore proclaims,
(quote) “I will go as best I can to find Utnapushtim whom they call the faraway, for he has entered the assembly of the gods” (25).

(explain quote’s connection to the topic sentence) Gilgamesh’s quest to meet the others who know the answer about eternal life shows his bold determination.

(concluding sentence to paragraph) The text proves Gilgamesh’s character is one of bold, confident, determined ruand humble caring.

Basic Paragraph Structure
Sentence 1: paragraph’s topic sentence (Answer the prompt directly, using prompt language.)
Sentence 2: introduces quote 1 (the who/what/when of the quote)
Sentence 3: quote 1
Sentence 4: explain quote 1’s connection to the topic sentence (Mention prompt words and your answer idea.)
Sentence 5: introduces quote 2 (the who/what/when of the quote)
Sentence 6: quote 2
Sentence 7: explain quote 2’s connection to the topic sentence (Mention prompt words and your answer idea.)
Sentence 8: paragraph’s concluding sentence (Summarize answer to the prompt directly; use prompt language.)