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Introduction to Characterization

Introduction to Characterization. Beyond Physical Description.

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Introduction to Characterization

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  1. Introduction to Characterization

  2. Beyond Physical Description • Often, beginning writers confuse character development with physical description.  John has blond hair and brown eyes.  Mary has black hair and brown eyes. In most cases, the specific details of a character's looks are fairly unimportant to understanding the character.It may be important to know if a character is attractive or unattractive, since that can influence many aspects of the character's life.  But brown eyes?  That doesn't tell us much about who the person is.  It is one detail among many.

  3. Ways to Develop Characters • personal history; the character's past- thoughts and emotions- education and beliefs- way of moving, body language - voice and communication style- temper, way of reacting to different situations- tastes, preferences, routines, habits- strengths, weaknesses, special talents- culture, social status- reputation (what other people have to say about the character)- physical environment, clothing, possessions

  4. Habits, Tastes and Routines • You can use a character's routines:-    to make the character feel more dimensional-    as plot opportunities-    for pacing-    to show a character's mood or mental state-    to give ammunition to a character's enemyChanges in a character's routine can show a change in the character or be an indication that something's wrong.When you describe a character's clothes, living space, or car, take advantage of an opportunity for character development.

  5. Speech and Action • You can use a character's speech to show the character's:-    background, education, culture-    personality-    thoughts and feelings at a specific point in the story-    relationship with the other participants in the conversation.Think about:-    the type of vocabulary the character uses-    the style and length of the character's sentences-    the rhythm of the character's conversation-    the sound of the character's voiceWhat the character doesn't say can be as important as what he or she says.The reader can learn about a character from what other characters say about him or her.You can use one character's dialogue to provoke another character's reaction.You can create a contrast between a character's words and actions. You can give your character certain behavioral patterns that will make readers feel as if they know him or her.Body language, physical responses, and facial expressions are other opportunities for character development.

  6. Speech and Action • What the character doesn't say can be as important as what he or she says.The reader can learn about a character from what other characters say about him or her.You can use one character's dialogue to provoke another character's reaction.You can create a contrast between a character's words and actions. You can give your character certain behavioral patterns that will make readers feel as if they know him or her.Body language, physical responses, and facial expressions are other opportunities for character development.

  7. Relationships • Your character's relationships can show a lot about who your character is.Think about:-    What kinds of people your character is attracted to or repelled by-    What kinds of people your character attracts or repels-    How your character relates to different types of people.You can put your character in a relationship that brings out certain aspects of his or her personality.You can give your character a confidant and turn the character's thoughts into dialogue. • Your antagonist will be more believable if he or she is a complex character as well.You can create characters who contrast with each other, bringing out certain qualities by comparison.  

  8. Character Arc and Change • The events in your story impact your characters, causing them to change.  For example:-    A character's feelings may change.-    A character's morals may change.-    Some potential in the character may be fulfilled.-    The character's commitment to solving the story conflict is likely to deepen as the story progresses.Showing change is easier with complex characters.For change to be believable;- The character has to have the potential for the change.- There has to be a reason for the change.- The change has to take place in a realistic time frame.The amount of time needed for a change depends on the type and size of the change and how dramatic the reason for it is.

  9. Writing Sample • Using a character from your writing sample, select areas in the story where you can add in one of the aforementioned ways to develop the character that you do not have in your piece already. Meaning, if you did not include age, clothing, possession, etc add that layer of characterization into your piece now. • Again, we are practicing showing, not telling. It could be as simple as adding in one sentence, changing a dialogue tag, etc. • The goal is enhance your character so your reader is more engaged with what happens to him/her.

  10. Character Profiles • Get your assigned chrome book, go to the class page, under Fiction then Characterization. • Open the document entitled “Character Profiles”. Create TWO characters that you will be using throughout our fiction unit. Think it through as you will be working with them for the next few weeks.

  11. Character Profile Sharing • Have your partner read your two character sketches. • Your partner will choose what he/she thinks is the single most interesting detail about each character. • Your partner will choose a detail that he/she thinks does not fit the character or one that can be improved upon. • Discuss the selections with the author. • Be ready to share your character and what you think is your strongest detail about EACH character with the class

  12. Character Exercise #1 • Go to the class page, under Fiction and then Characterization. Open up the document entitled “Put Your Character into Action”.

  13. Today’s Goals • Continue working on Character Exercise #1 “Put your Character into Action.” • You will have until 9:40 to complete the exercise. Remember one-two FULL pages. • After that, we will conduct an informal peer review.

  14. Character Exercise #1 Peer Review • Using the same partner from yesterday, share your character exercise #1. While reading it, highlight aspects that reveal character traits that match the character profile. • Then, answer the following questions: • How is this character unique and distinct? What traits make them realistic? • What other elements from the character profile could be included in this exercise to make the characterization stronger? • After you finish your peer review, show me the answers to these questions to receive credit for today.

  15. Character Share

  16. Character Dice • Each student will roll the dice and come up with a scenario in which ONE of their characters from the character profiles weave together the two ideas on the dice and tell the tale to the class.

  17. Sharing of Character Exercise #2 Pick out the best section of “Character Routines” exercise – be ready to share about 100 words.

  18. The Clues to A Great story • Andrew Stanton Ted Talk • As you listen, think about ways you craft stories – your fiction, the stories you share with others, the stories you tell yourself. • Be prepared to share your thoughts at the end of the talk.

  19. Character Share • On the note card – write one of your character’s name, age and two significant details you want to think BEST characterize him/her. • Then, hand in your card to me.

  20. Character Share • You will pick a card (not your own) and begin a story using the character given to you. You 15 full minutes to set up the character and put them in a conflict; then you will pass the paper to the person behind you. • The second person needs to build off the character and conflict given to them and bring the conflict to a climax. You have 20 minutes. • The third person needs to bring the resolution to the piece. You CANNOT end this with “They all died” or “Then s/he woke up.” You have 20 minutes.

  21. Character Share – Return to Owner • Now you have an exercise written by your peers about your character. • Does this fit the personality of the character you created? Why or why not? • Be prepared to share out.

  22. Character Exercise #2 • Go to the class page, under Fiction and then Characterization. Open up the document entitled “Character Routines”. • Write one to two FULL pages about one of your characters from your profile.

  23. Direct versus Indirect Characterization • Direct characterization: the author or narrator makes direct statements about a character’s traits. The author tells us about the character’s personality to our face. TELLING • Example:The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother. • Indirect characterization: the author or narrator reveals a character’s traits through his or her actions and speech. SHOWING • Example: Jim was very unlike any other businessman. He made sure that all his clients got what they had paid for.

  24. STEAL Method of Indirect Characterization • SPEECH - What does the character say? How does the character speak? • THOUGHTS - What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings? • EFFECTS - What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? • ACTIONS - What does the character do? How does the character behave? • LOOKS - What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

  25. Character Exercise #2 Peer Review • Highlight in yellow indirect characterization. • Highlight in green direct characterization. • What is the ratio between direct and indirect characterization? • What are the key details about the character that come out in this scene? • Then, conference with your partner – were those the details that the writer wanted revealed to the reader? • When you are done conferencing, show me the highlighted exercise #2

  26. Character Exercises • You now have three different character exercises: • Character and Integrity/Choice • Character Routines • Character and Setting • Select one of these to revise to demonstrate your familiarity with your character, your mastery of showing and telling as well as mastery of dialogue. PROOFREAD! • Submit to Turnitin • When done, work on your contest submission

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