Character Development: Creative Thinking and Writing

1. Character Development: Creative Thinking and Writing English 10 Dr. Michael Lombardo 2/28/2006

2. OVERVIEW • Character development is essential for creative writing • The audience often needs a character that they can associate with when reading • Characters are what moves the story along • Characters can be found in more than just creative writing • This exercise is to be no longer than 5 pages and no shorter than 3

3. Creating a Character: The “Good” Kenshin Himoura and Miss Kourufrom Ruroni Kenshin

4. Creating a Character: The “Bad” Legato Bluesummers from TRIGUN

5. Creating a Character: Introduction • When wanting to write a creative story, you need to have a character or a group of characters to get behind • This makes the story interesting as well as builds on a student’s ability to write and think critically about literature • Make sure that no matter what type of character you create, that you have at least one protagonist and one antagonist

6. Creating a Character: Getting Started • First decide whether of not you want to write a story revolving around either the protagonist or antagonist • Protagonist-the “good” guy • Antagonist-the “bad” guy

7. Creating a Character • We generally think of protagonists as the “good” guys • Remember that in the new age of media the definition of what can be a “good” guy keeps changing • Remember, be creative when thinking about developing your protagonist • Here are a couple of examples:

8. Creating a Character • We generally think of Antagonists as the “bad” guys • Antagonists can take on any shape or form in writing • Students will want to balance the “good” with the “evil” in their stories • Here are a couple of examples:

9. Creating a Character: Thinking Critically • Once you have your characters planned out (Please have no more than 4 and no less than 2) develop a story line that would suit them • Use setting (i.e. Outer Space, the Old West, or any ordinary city [New York for superheroes]) to get your characters ready • Students are to use their imaginations to develop the story be it a romance (Keep it PG), action, mystery, or comedy • Feel free to discuss any ideas with me if you have any questions

10. Creating a Character: Plot • After you have your character(s) defined and have a list of what characteristics each has start thinking about what you want them to do • I mentioned on the previous slide that it can be any plot as long as it is kept classroom appropriate • Be sure to use appropriate grammar and language rules when writing your story • If you feel the need, students can write up to one more story to submit for the Creative Writing grade as extra-credit

11. Creating a Character: Summarization • For this exercise always have a Protagonist and an Antagonist • Use proper settings and plot lines • Utilize proper grammar and language skills • Demonstrate your knowledge of characters, use of setting, and plot • Be able to back up your character choice if requested

12. Creating a Character: Conclusion • Students should have their character(s) ready for review and critique by NEXT class meeting • If you want you can include pictures of your characters (Not required) • Students will begin setting and plot decisions after the next class meeting (roughly a week from today) • Students will have their stories ready for presentation two weeks from today

13. Web Links • If you find yourself needing more information about creating characters or creative writing in general, visit these three sites for inspiration: • http://www.hollylisle.com/fm/Articles/wc2-2.html • http://www.collegeboard.com/article/0,3868,2-8-0-122,00.html • http://teenwriting.about.com/