Character+Development

This lesson will focus on character development for students' writing of a narrative and/or short story. We will discuss the ideas for what a great character is, as well as the steps in which to develop a character throughout a short story over a span of at least three mini-lessons.

1) Begin lesson of three great character descriptions from books students have read or will read in the future. Something familiar will allow them to worry less about the plot and focus more on the character description. 2) __Elements of Great Characters__
 * __1st Mini-Lesson on Character Development__**
 * //Let's Assess//
 * Why are these great descriptions of characters? Why are they "great" characters"
 * (Students will answer with possible answers such as use of adjectives [details], depiction/imagery, language dialect)
 * **Strong personality traits** - What are some traits that characters you enjoy adventuring through a novel with possess?
 * **Strengths and weaknesses**
 * **Physical description**
 * **Friends or enemies** that relate to the story, which the reader should know about for the development of the character
 * **Fears**
 * **History**
 * **Likes/Dislikes**
 * **Adjectives that the author chooses to describe the character**

Create a character in an action or fantasy filled story. I will provide the plot, as well as a main character description to help them create secondary characters. Another alternative to this would be to "Create the person across from you at your table into a fictionalized character -- take your creative liberties! You are welcome to add or deplete specific characteristics to make them more fictionalized.
 * 3) __Invitation to Free Write__**

__**4) Sharing/Beyond the Development**__
 * Create an Illustration of your Character
 * Write a 500 word short story about your character
 * Create your own cartoon or comic strip of your character on paper or Pixton
 * Create your own character through Voki
 * Share your character on the class website (Email to Ms. Lee or upload it via Word document)

Briefly describe the process of character development in your writing journal. Be sure to include how the development of a character helps create the development of a story, as well as the significance of creating strong, round characters for the strength of the story.
 * 5) Application to Language and the Literature We Read**
 * Questions to consider after our lesson:
 * Think of some "weak, flat" characters in the books and short stories you have read. Why were they not appealing to you? Do you think you could recreate a "flat" character to become a "round" character? If so, which one and how?
 * Is there an essential need for "weak, flat" characters to exist in the literature we read? If so, why or why not?
 * How can you ensure a character is fulfilling its role in a plot? How can you, as a writer, ensure that your character is seen as an intricate aspect of the story?
 * Do you see yourself as a "round" character in the story of your life? Are you becoming the person you want to be? Why or why not? What can you, as a character in the story of your life, do to significantly effect the community around you, and in turn, become the main character?
 * What can you learn about yourself, your writing ability, and the person you'd like to become through the character you created?
 * Are there attributes or characteristics of your character that you wish you possess? If so, which characteristics and why?

// Hey, Hannah, Again, a great start here! See my e-mail for specific feedback, but you have a strong handle on your plan. Best, Dr. Y //

Initial Draft: