Journal 3 (1/2 page min)• Stop and think about your

favorite characters. What character do you most identify with? What aspects about this character would you modify if you were to become the character in their element?

Elements of Fiction: Character & Characterization Brought to you by Mr. Young

Freshpeople

CharacterDefinition: The mental, emotional, and social qualities to distinguish one entity from another.

A character can be: a person, animal, natural force, or object. For a deeper understanding: A character is any imagined person or being in a story whose behavior, appearance, and thoughts influence the action and advance the author’s purpose. Readers make personal connections to stories through a characters’ experiences.

Character Terms and TraitsThe protagonist is a character who plays the central role in a story or the character who “drives the action”. This character can be sympathetic or unsympathetic.

The antagonist is a character who serves as an obstacle for the protagonist must contend with. The antagonist can be a person, thing, convention of society, or trait of their own character.

Character Terms and TraitsA static character is a character who does not develop; his or her personality does not transform or evolve.A dynamic character is a character who develops over time. These changes tend to come as a result of the conflict or climax.

In our short stories so far, who is static? Who is dynamic?

Character Terms and TraitsA stock character is a character known for one outstanding trait. Ex: King Kong (Monster) & Robin (Sidekick).A round character is a realistic character that has many different traits. Round characters are complex and multi-dimensional. These are the characters readers tend to remember the most.A flat character is a one-dimensional and easy to describe without complexity. They usually support stereotypes: i.e. mad scientist

Character Terms and TraitsMajor or Central characters are vital to the development and resolution of the conflict. Both the plot and resolution of conflict centers around these characters.Minor characters serve to complement the major characters and help move the plot forward.

CharacterizationWords to Ponder

“We can know our fictional characters more completely than we know real" people, for unlike even our closet friends, fictional people have no secret places in their lives or minds. They are no more than a story tells us they are, no matter how mysterious or complex the writer makes them seem.”~ E.M. Forester, writer of “Aspects of a Novel”

Characterization TermsDirect characterization - the writer states a character’s traits explicitly. The reader is told what character is like.Indirect characterization – the writer reveals a character’s traits vaguely. The reader then infers what the character is all about based on the clues within the text. 3 ways authors use indirect characterization

1) What the character does, says, or thinks (ACTIONS)

2) By means of description of appearance (DEMEANOR)

3) By means of the statement, thoughts, or actions of other characters (EXTERNAL INFLUENCES)

Characterization Think / Pair / Share

• The Hunger Games I swing my legs off the bed and slide into my hunting boots. Supple leather that has molded to my feet. I pull on trousers, a shirt and tuck my long braid into a cap and grab my forage bag…as soon as I'm in the trees, I retrieve a bow and sheath of arrows from a hollow log…there's food if you know how to find it. My father knew and he taught me some before he was blown to bits in a mine explosion. There was nothing even to bury. I was eleven then. Five years later, I still wake up screaming for him to run.

Characterization

• The Hunger Games 

• Is this direct or indirect characterization?

• What type of character is being described? (evil/good, heroic/villainous etc.)

I know about the Instagram Walkout @ Noon

• Please do not participate in the walkout

• If you choose to walk out on this class today, you will choose to earn 0 (zero) points on your essay.

• Thank you for your compliance!

Journal 4 (1/2 page min)Develop the following sentence into a paragraph“To succeed in a fight for survival, I would need to have _________________.” What things would you need to survive? Why do you NEED these things?

OR Have you ever played a game where you have to plan and decide quickly to win? What game was it? Which is more important to winning—knowing your opponent or experience with the game? Why?

Characterization• Definition: The technique a writer uses to

portray the personality of the people who perform the actions in a story.

For a more developed understanding: Characterization is the creation from mere words of persons who appear so human and alive that we respond to them as we respond to the people in our lives..

Characterization Details

• ActionsJohn saved a puppy from a burning building. Mike set the fire.

• Clothing John wore the scarf his mother knit him. Mike wore a mask to avoid being identified.

Characterization Details

• Family LifeJohn's little sister lives with him because he is supporting her while she goes to law school. Mike robbed his mother to buy an PlayStation4.

• FoodJohn eats organic vegetables from his own garden to cut down on food shortages. Mike steals food from the food bank.

Characterization Details

• LocationJohn lives in a two-bedroom home in the suburbs. Mike lives in prison.

• Names Jekyll means "I kill" in French. "Hyde" sounds similar to "hide."

Characterization Details

• OccupationJohn is a volunteer social worker for underprivileged children from the inner city. Mike is an identity thief.

• PersonificationOpportunity knocks at John’s door. The pillow whispered sad stories in Mike’s ear.

Characterization Details

• Physical AppearancesJohn has a cheerful smile and kind eyes. Mike has a permanent smirk.

• Props John always has a first aid kit with him, in case someone needs help. Mike packs heat.

Characterization Details

• LoveJohn has been married for 20 years and has never strayed from marital fidelity. Mike has three mistresses.

• Social StatusJohn is a hard-working member of the middle class. Mike is a hardened criminal.

Characterization Details

• Speech and Dialogue• "My goodness," said John, "one never

would have suspected that such an occurrence could have gone unnoticed. It's simply atrocious to imagine."

• "Whateva," said Mike. “Who gives a crap?"

Characterization Details

• Thoughts and OpinionsJohn thinks his old lady is a sweetheart. Mike thinks she's a pain in the neck.

• Type of Being (Metaphorical Comparisons)John was a hard-working goat. Mike was a bloodthirsty hound.

Protagonist Creation • One of the major assignments of

this short story unit will be for you to craft a short story.

• This exercise allows you to get this story off the ground with a well developed character with thoughtful characterization.