SPM Answering Technique (Captain Nobody)
Question:
With close reference to the text, write about one instance in the novel where a character has undergone
some changes in his life. How do the changes affect his life? Give examples from the text to support
your answer.
Technique 1
Key Points/Technique
P 1: ‘answer’ the questions
The instance
The changes
P 2:
Describe the instance in details:
a. What happened?
b. When did it happen?
c. Where did it happen?
d. Why did it happen?
e. How did it happen?
P3.
As a result of these, what
changes took place in the life of
your chosen character?
a. What was he like before the
event?
b. How was he different after the
event?
c. What made him change to be
the person that he was after the
event?
d. Was the change good for
him? E.g. was he stronger, more
confident, etc?
Answer
Based on the novel that I have read, Captain nobody by
Dean Pitchford, the main character, Newt Newman has
undergone significant changes in his life when he began to put
on the mask and wear his Captain Nobody uniform. The changes
affect his life as he has changed to become someone who is
more popular, gets the attention he deserves and is more
courageous.
Newt Newman, the protagonist of the novel is a 10 year old
kid with an elder brother and two working parents. His parents
are always busy with their career and at certain points Newt is
neglected and this causes him to become independent. His
brother, Chris Newman is a famous quarterback who brings
Fillmore High to victory in football. Things in the life of the
Newman family starts to change when Chris was put in a coma
after an incident at the Big Game. As an attempt to make his
grieving mother happy, Newt puts on layers of Chris’s clothing
until he was tangled in it and this is when Cecil and JJ comes to
his house as it is Halloween. They then altered the clothing Newt
has on and added a mask. By putting on the mask, Newt feels
more confident and he begins to do things that he has never
dreamt of doing.
Newt changes to become someone who is more popular,
gets the attention he deserves and is more courageous. Newt
and his friends are ‘invisible’ in school and people do not even
know that he is Chris Newman’s brother. After donning the mask
and going to school with it, people notices him. His batch mates
stood up for him when he is confronted by Ricky Ratner. In fact,
he becomes popular nationwide as he proceeds with his
escapades. Next, Newt begins to get the attention he deserves
especially from his own parents. Due to his wearing the costume
to school, the authorities alerted his parents about his condition
and they apologised to him for neglecting him all this while. His
dad even had a heart-to-heart talk with him. By putting on the
mask, Newt manages to overcome his fear and be dependable
and more courageous for his friends. Before the event, Newt
wouldn’t even dream of going up to high places and rescuing
somebody however, upon putting on the mask he manages to
entertain most of his friends’ request. Among the possible
reasons behind his change could be that he needs a distraction
from keep thinking about Chris’s tragedy and that he has been so
out of the loop with what’s happening to Chris at the hospital.
Being Captain Nobody also provided him an outlet to be
somebody who is useful and not a ‘nothing’ which his mom had
carelessly indicated that there’s not a thing he could do to rectify
the situation. The change has affected Newt in a various good
ways as he is now someone who is more confident, however it is
undeniable that he is also put in more danger due to his
escapades.
P4.
Give examples from the text
(textual evidence) to show the
character has changed as a
result of that one instance/event:
a. Quote examples from text,
e.g. if you state that the
character has become more
confident in his action, where in
the text does it show this?
Describe an event where he
showed confidence in his/her
action.
b. If there are other events to
show how he developed this
confidence, mention those
events also (with textual
evidence).
c. Since the questions
calls for “SOME CHANGES IN
HIS LIFE” you must provide
other examples from text. What
other changes did he/she go
through? Remember to also
provide evidence (example)
from text.
5. How to conclude your
writing?
a. Briefly mention how a
character has transformed as a
result of what happened.
b. Was the transformation
good or bad for the character?
c. HOTS: what would have
happened if the character did
not undergo the transformation
(the changes)? – Include your
own thoughts about this.
d. What did you learn from
all this?
Newt’s popularity has reach national status as he is
featured on the news when he saves Reggie Ratner. Newt is well
known as a hero that towards the end of the novel, an old couple
from out of town says ‘Chris who?’ and that they ‘didn’t know
Newt Newman had an older brother’ where initially it was Newt
who will get the reaction. Additionally, the victory pep parade was
rife with people chanting Newt’s name. Newt is amazed when
people know his name. Next, Newt has gotten the attention of his
parents when he is rushed to the hospital when he fell from the
Water Tower. His father and mother are beside him and his
mother are very protective of him especially when Reggie Ratner
comes to visit. Newt’s mom regarded Reggie coldly and his dad
asks Reggie to apologise. Even when Chris wakes up from his
comma, Newt has the attention of his mom when he requests for
a hamburger and aspirin as his mom shouts above the noise to
make sure the medical officers attend to Newt’s pain as well.
Newt could be seen as courageous when he ultimately conquers
his fear of his heights and decides to climb the Water Tower. As
he ascended the rung of ladder, his fear somehow gets a hold of
him and when he looks down, however he manages to pull
through when he considers Reggie who is all alone and
desperate. This also shows that newt is someone who is very
empathetic. Newt’s intelligence is also shown when he is the one
who manages to think rationally about how both he and Reggie
should get down, as he is the one who decides that they should
crawl and take the rusty ladder one at a time.
Newt’s change includes both changes of the self and
changes of how people react towards him. The transformation is
positive for Newt’s development and as could be seen by Newt’s
reaction towards the end of the novel, he thinks more positively
and remarks that ‘it was a good day’. If Newt did not put on the
mask, the feeling of being ignored that he harbours may grow to
be bigger and more toxic that it may lead him to end up thinking
his parents do not love him. This will consequently lead him to be
a problematic teenager who skips school and be involved in
gangs. His change is also a good wake up call for his parents as
they should step up and be more attentive towards the needs of
their child who feels lonely. In conclusion, Newt’s change affects
his life in various positive ways.
Technique 2

Key Points/Technique Answer

P 1: ‘answer’ the questions Based on the novel that I have read, Captain nobody by
The instance Dean Pitchford, the main character, Newt Newman has
The changes undergone significant changes in his life when he began to put
on the mask and wear his Captain Nobody uniform. The
changes affect his life as he has changed to become someone
who is more popular, gets the attention he deserves and is
more courageous.
P 2: Newt Newman, the protagonist of the novel is a 10 year old
- Topic Sentence 1: kid with an elder brother and two working parents. His parents
Change no 1 are always busy with their career and at certain points Newt is
- Elaboration for Change neglected and this causes him to become independent. His
No 1 brother, Chris Newman is a famous quarterback who brings
- Examples/ Evidence for Fillmore High to victory in football. Things in the life of the
Change No 1 Newman family starts to change when Chris was put in a coma
- Personal Opinion for after an incident at the Big Game. As an attempt to make his
Change No 1 grieving mother happy, Newt puts on layers of Chris’s clothing
until he was tangled in it and this is when Cecil and JJ comes to
his house as it is Halloween. They then altered the clothing Newt
has on and added a mask. By putting on the mask, Newt feels
more confident and he begins to do things that he has never
dreamt of doing.
P3. Newt changes to become someone who is more popular,
gets the attention he deserves and is more courageous. Newt
- Topic Sentence 2: and his friends are ‘invisible’ in school and people do not even
Change no 2 know that he is Chris Newman’s brother. After donning the mask
- Elaboration for Change and going to school with it, people notices him. His batch mates
No 2 stood up for him when he is confronted by Ricky Ratner. In fact,
- Examples/ Evidence for he becomes popular nationwide as he proceeds with his
Change No 2 escapades. Next, Newt begins to get the attention he deserves
- Personal Opinion for especially from his own parents. Due to his wearing the costume
Change No 2 to school, the authorities alerted his parents about his condition
and they apologised to him for neglecting him all this while. His
dad even had a heart-to-heart talk with him. By putting on the
mask, Newt manages to overcome his fear and be dependable
and more courageous for his friends. Before the event, Newt
wouldn’t even dream of going up to high places and rescuing
somebody however, upon putting on the mask he manages to
entertain most of his friends’ request. Among the possible
reasons behind his change could be that he needs a distraction
from keep thinking about Chris’s tragedy and that he has been so
out of the loop with what’s happening to Chris at the hospital.
Being Captain Nobody also provided him an outlet to be
somebody who is useful and not a ‘nothing’ which his mom had
carelessly indicated that there’s not a thing he could do to rectify
the situation. The change has affected Newt in various good ways
as he is now someone who is more confident, however it is
undeniable that he is also put in more danger due to his
escapades.

P4. Newt’s popularity has reach national status as he is

featured on the news when he saves Reggie Ratner. Newt is well
- Topic Sentence 3: known as a hero that towards the end of the novel, an old couple
Change no 3 from out of town says ‘Chris who?’ and that they ‘didn’t know
- Elaboration for Change Newt Newman had an older brother’ where initially it was Newt
No 3 who will get the reaction. Additionally, the victory pep parade was
- Examples/ Evidence for rife with people chanting Newt’s name. Newt is amazed when
Change No 3 people know his name. Next, Newt has gotten the attention of his
 - Personal Opinion for parents when he is rushed to the hospital when he fell from the
Change No 3 Water Tower. His father and mother are beside him and his
mother is very protective of him especially when Reggie Ratner
comes to visit. Newt’s mom regarded Reggie coldly and his dad
asks Reggie to apologise. Even when Chris wakes up from his
comma, Newt has the attention of his mom when he requests for
a hamburger and aspirin as his mom shouts above the noise to
make sure the medical officers attend to Newt’s pain as well.
Newt could be seen as courageous when he ultimately conquers
his fear of his heights and decides to climb the Water Tower. As
he ascended the rung of ladder, his fear somehow gets a hold of
him and when he looks down, however he manages to pull
through when he considers Reggie who is all alone and
desperate. This also shows that newt is someone who is very
emphatic. Newt’s intelligence is also shown when he is the one
who manages to think rationally about how both he and Reggie
should get down, as he is the one who decides that they should
crawl and take the rusty ladder one at a time.
5. Newt’s change includes both changes of the self and
changes of how people react towards him. The transformation is
positive for Newt’s development and as could be seen by Newt’s
reaction towards the end of the novel, he thinks more positively
and remarks that ‘it was a good day’. If Newt did not put on the
mask, the feeling of being ignored that he harbours may grow to
be bigger and more toxic that it may lead him to end up thinking
his parents do not love him. This will consequently lead him to be
a problematic teenager who skips school and be involved in
gangs. His change is also a good wake up call for his parents as
they should step up and be more attentive towards the needs of
their child who feels lonely. In conclusion, Newt’s change affects
his life in various positive ways.

Key Points/Technique Answer

P 1: ‘answer’ the questions Based on the novel that I have read, Captain nobody by
The instance Dean Pitchford, the main character, Newt Newman has
The changes undergone significant changes in his life when he began to put
on the mask and wear his Captain Nobody uniform. The changes
affect his life as he has changed to become someone who is
more popular, gets the attention he deserves and is more
courageous.
P 2: The most obvious change is Newt has become someone
- Topic Sentence 1: who is very popular. Newt and his friends are ‘invisible’ in school
Change no 1 and people do not even know that he is Chris Newman’s brother.
- Elaboration for Change After donning the mask and going to school with it, people notices
No 1 him. His batch mates stood up for him when he is confronted by
- Examples/ Evidence for Ricky Ratner. In fact, he becomes popular nationwide as he
Change No 1 proceeds with his escapades. Newt’s popularity has even
- Personal Opinion for reached national status as he is featured on the news when he
Change No 1 saves Reggie Ratner. Newt is well known as a hero that towards
the end of the novel, an old couple from out of town says ‘Chris
who?’ and that they ‘didn’t know Newt Newman had an older
brother’ where initially it was Newt who will get the reaction.
Additionally, the victory pep parade was rife with people chanting
Newt’s name. Newt is amazed when people know his name.
P3. Newt changes to become someone who is more popular,
- Topic Sentence 2: gets the attention he deserves and is more courageous. Next,
Change no 2 Newt begins to get the attention he deserves especially from his
- Elaboration for Change own parents. Due to his wearing the costume to school, the
No 2 authorities alerted his parents about his condition and they
 - Examples/ Evidence for apologised to him for neglecting him all this while. His dad even
Change No 2 had a heart-to-heart talk with him. By putting on the mask, Newt
- Personal Opinion for manages to overcome his fear and be dependable and more
Change No 2 courageous for his friends. Before the event, Newt wouldn’t even
dream of going up to high places and rescuing somebody
however, upon putting on the mask he manages to entertain most
of his friends’ request. Among the possible reasons behind his
change could be that he needs a distraction from keep thinking
about Chris’s tragedy and that he has been so out of the loop with
what’s happening to Chris at the hospital. Being Captain Nobody
also provided him an outlet to be somebody who is useful and not
a ‘nothing’ which his mom had carelessly indicated that there’s
not a thing he could do to rectify the situation. The change has
affected Newt in various good ways as he is now someone who
is more confident, however it is undeniable that he is also put in
more danger due to his escapades.

P4. Next, Newt has gotten the attention of his parents when he is
rushed to the hospital when he fell from the Water Tower. His
- Topic Sentence 3: father and mother are beside him and his mother is very
Change no 3 protective of him especially when Reggie Ratner comes to visit.
- Elaboration for Change Newt’s mom regarded Reggie coldly and his dad asks Reggie to
No 3 apologise. Even when Chris wakes up from his comma, Newt has
- Examples/ Evidence for the attention of his mom when he requests for a hamburger and
Change No 3 aspirin as his mom shouts above the noise to make sure the
- Personal Opinion for medical officers attend to Newt’s pain as well. Newt could be
Change No 3 seen as courageous when he ultimately conquers his fear of his
heights and decides to climb the Water Tower. As he ascended
the rung of ladder, his fear somehow gets a hold of him and when
he looks down, however he manages to pull through when he
considers Reggie who is all alone and desperate. This also
shows that newt is someone who is very emphatic. Newt’s
intelligence is also shown when he is the one who manages to
think rationally about how both he and Reggie should get down,
as he is the one who decides that they should crawl and take the
rusty ladder one at a time.
5. Newt’s change includes both changes of the self and
changes of how people react towards him. The transformation is
positive for Newt’s development and as could be seen by Newt’s
reaction towards the end of the novel, he thinks more positively
and remarks that ‘it was a good day’. If Newt did not put on the
mask, the feeling of being ignored that he harbours may grow to
be bigger and more toxic that it may lead him to end up thinking
his parents do not love him. This will consequently lead him to be
a problematic teenager who skips school and be involved in
gangs. His change is also a good wake up call for his parents as
they should step up and be more attentive towards the needs of
their child who feels lonely. In conclusion, Newt’s change affects
his life in various positive ways.