LITERARY

ELE

MENTS:

CHARACTER

DEVELOPM

ENT

EN

GL I S

H S

L C- S

HO

RT

ST

OR

Y U

NI T

OBJECTIVES

• Define the literary terms related to character development.

• Use graphic organizers to help describe

a character.

WHAT IS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT?

• Character development is…• the description of a person in a story that tells the reader about a character

• We are going to learn about…•Motivation•Conflict• Problem/Solution•Resolution

Definition:

Motivation is why a character acts the way they do

Example:

Why does Nemo decide to swim away from his dad, Marlin?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RhX3lRJQMg

MOTIVATION

Definition:

Every story line involves some kind of conflict. It is a struggle between two forces, but these forces can be either internal (feelings) or external (physical).

Example:

External- Nemo tries not to be eaten by other fish or by man

Internal- Nemo (or his dad) has to conquer fear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnpJhjmSbBY

CONFLICT

What is going wrong in the story?

How is everything fixed?

Example:

Problem- Nemo was caught by humans and his father is trying to find him

Solution- Nemo’s dad finds Nemo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7bNhYr3ves

PROBLEM/SOLUTION

How does the character feel at the end of the story?

How has the character changed since the beginning of the story?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifJOwZc-Vog

Example:

Nemo and his dad, Marlin, are happy at the end of the story. Marlin has realized that he needs to let Nemo be more independent, and Nemo has realized that he loves his home just the way it is.

RESOLUTION

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT CHART

THINK ABOUT A STORY THAT YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH, AND FILL IN THIS CHART.

Motivation

Conflict

Problem

Solution

Resolution

Name of Story: __________________________________________