Elements of Fiction Focus on CHARACTER

Enhancing Your Understanding There is no story without a character. 1 Identify the Characters 2 Focus on Development 3Discover Their Purpose

Identify The Character Who and What 1

The Antagonist It’s WHO is AGAINST the Protagonist. Usually bad, but NOT always. The Protagonist It’s WHO the story is all about. Usually good, but NOT always. Major Categories of Characters

The ROLES They Play Major Minor

2 Focus On Development Discovering the Character

It’s not just about the telling a story, it’s about SHOWING IT

…And I don’t play the dozens or believe in standing around with somebody in my face doing a lot of talking. I much rather just knock you down and take my chances even if I’m a little girl with skinny arms and a squeaky voice, which is how I got the name Squeaky. From “Raymond’s Run” by T. Bambara Direct Characterization

The old man bowed to all of us in the room. Then he removed his hat and gloves, slowly and carefully. Chaplin once did that in a picture, in a bank--he was the janitor. From “Gentleman of Rio en Medio” by J. Sedillo Indirect Characterization

“From Ernest Hemingway's stories, I learned to listen within my stories for what went unsaid by my characters.” Nadine Gordimer Saying it without saying it

speaks How the character speaks

thinks What the character thinks

character How the character acts

character How the character reacts

others How others react to the character

others say What others say about the character

3 Discover Their Purpose Why bother with characters at all?

“Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way.” Les Brown MOTIVATION

“Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.” Tennessee Williams RELATIONSHIPS

“I try to take every conflict, every experience, and learn from it. Life is never dull.” Oprah Winfrey CONFLICT

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What’s Your Message? FOCUS ON FICTION