CORNERSTONE SENIOR SCHOOL

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT AND LEARNING ACTIVITY D

LEARNING AREA: LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

LEVEL: O LEVEL

SYLLABUS TOPIC: LITERARY DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES

SUB-TOPIC: CHARACTERISATION

CALA TITLE: THE USE OF CHARACTERS AS A TOOL TO DRIVE THE MAJOR

THEMES IN “BLACK BOY” BY RICHARD WRIGHT.

Competences: -researching
-investigating
-problem solving
-critical thinking
- societal analysis

BACKGROUND
Characterization is a major tool that is used by most writers to drive the major themes in
plays or prose writing. Through the character's actions, words and thoughts, the themes are
attained. This is also the case in the novel “Black Boy” by Richard Wright.

This CALA is in two separate parts, you must complete the two parts.
PART A
1a) Define the word “characterization" in relation to how it is used in the study of Literature.
[2 marks]
b) List any 5 characters in the novel "Black Boy” [5 Marks]
c) Briefly discuss the suitability (appropriateness) of the title of the novel "Black
Boy"[8MARKS]

PART B
1. Discuss how the writer uses characters to bring out the major themes in the novel "Black
Boy." [ 15 marks]

LEARNER CALA GUIDE

LEARNING AREA: LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

LEVEL: O LEVEL
CENTRE NAME: CORNERSTONE SECONDARY SCHOOL
CALA TYPE: PEN AND PAPER ACTIVITIES
CALA TITLE: LITERARY DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES
SUB TOPIC: CHARACTERISATION

CALA DESCRIPTION

 The use of characters to drive the major themes in “Black Boy” by Richard
Wright.

PART A
1a) A clear definition that is effectively showing the use of characters [2]
b) List any five major characters in the novel [5]
c) Suitability of the title “Black Boy” [8]
PART B
1) Cleary discuss how Richard Wright uses different characters to bring out the
major themes of the novel [15]
CALA TIPS: CLEAR PRESENTATION OF WORK IS ESSENTIAL, AVVOID COPYING
OR FABRICATION OF OTHER LEARNERS’S WORK