Characterization (Characters who STEAL the show!)

Learning Objective: After defining character traits, scholars will utilize a STEAL chart to analyze traits.

Ink-Pair-Share Ink Write 3 things that you KNOW about Martina based on what you read in “Attention Shoppers!” Pair Discuss your answers with your neighbor Share Share your ideas when the teacher calls on you

What is characterization? Characterization is the way writers create and describe a character for the reader. Are they Nice? Mean? Rude? Smart? Resourceful? Have you ever heard of character traits?

What Character Traits Might Each of These People Have? How Do You Know? 1 2 3

How can I tell for sure? Writers most often use hints to show (not tell) things that reveal the personality of a character:  The character’s s peech,  The character’s t houghts,  The e ffect the character has on others,  The character’s a ctions,  The physical “ l ooks” of the character STEAL

Use STEAL to analyze characters! Read the text Fill out a STEAL chart Look at all of the different aspects of the character. Speech Thoughts Actions Effect on Others Looks Personality

Concrete DetailCommentary Speech Thoughts Effect on Others Actions Looks Character Trait STEAL Chart

“ S TEAL ” “S” stands for SPEECH What does the character say? For Example: Cinderella The evil stepmother said, “only two young women live here. No one else.”

“S” stands for SPEECH What does the character say? In “Attention Shoppers,” identify an important line of Martina’s speech. What does this say about her?

“T” stands for THOUGHTS. What does the character think? For Example: As Cinderalla worked she hummed a tune and thought about what would happen at the ball.

“T” stands for THOUGHTS. What does the character think? In “Attention Shoppers,” identify a line that shows what Martina thought or might have thought.

“E” stands for EFFECT ON OTHERS How do other characters react around this character? How does he/she make them feel?

“A” stands for ACTIONS. What does the character do? How does the character behave?

“ STEA L ” “L” stands for LOOKS. What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

Character Motivation & Backstory

Character Motivation = What makes a character act the way they do. In literature, motivation is the power behind the plot. Motivation determines how the character will act.

Character Motivation = determined by a character’s backstory! Backstory: What happened in the character’s past that makes the character act as he/she does?

Batman’s Backstory!

Batman’s Backstory - Real name: Bruce Wayne (son of billionaires) - Parent’s shot in front of him when he was little. - As little Bruce stood over his parents’ dead bodies, he vowed to avenge their death. - Alfred Pennyworth (the butler) decided to look after him. - At age 14, Bruce went on a journey to learn all the skills he would need to avenge his parents’ death. He studied criminology and martial artists. - In time, Bruce forged himself into a living weapon to wage war on crime and injustice. - Bruce stalked street thugs in regular clothes, but he was beaten up. He had to first strike fear in the hearts of his enemies. - Just then, a bat crashed through the study window, giving Bruce the inspiration he needed.

With everything we know about Martina, why do you think she was motivated to riot in the vegetable aisle?

What has she been through that made her act the way she did? Be creative and specific, and write a story that shows what you think Martina has experienced that would explain her actions. Write Marina’s backstory!