Creating Characters This lesson is designed to help you create interesting characters and settings.

Who is your favourite character from a film, book or comic Who is your favourite character from a film, book or comic? What makes them so interesting? Make your own chart like the one below for your favourite character. His parents were famous wizards He is an orphan Harry Potter He is a teenager He didn’t know he was a wizard until he was 12 He has a lightening bolt scar The most evil wizard that ever existed couldn’t kill him and this resulted in the evil wizard’s near death

Conventions The conventions of a story are: Plot Setting Theme Language techniques ( Point of view for example) Structure

To make an interesting story, one of these must be interesting. For example, the structure may be changed so that you start at the end of the story in a sticky situation and you explain how you got to that point before arriving at the conclusion. The character may be in a normal setting but have something really interesting about them that makes being in that normal setting fun, exciting, interesting or difficult. Language techniques may be used to add depth and meaning to the story and to evoke deep emotions. The person telling the story may have a very significant part in the story which may not be revealed until the end (Maleficent), or, it may be written so that you assume you know who the character is but it is someone different.

Use each picture to help you design a character Use each picture to help you design a character. Give at least five interesting things about each character and don’t forget to give them a name!

Task 1: Design an interesting character Task 1: Design an interesting character. Ensure they have interesting stories. You can draw the character and write bubbles around the character explaining what makes them unique or you can write a paragraph or two explaining it.

Task 2: Place them in a setting Explain why this setting would be interesting for a story. Task 3: More than likely, you will be writing a short story. Consider the passing of time and how you can work it in. You will need to ensure that you don’t focus on too many things in a short story. Plan how you will communicate the nature of your character and the setting in a short amount of time. For example, if yur character is a teenager who just discovered super speed powers, you could have a situation where they have to explain to a principal and their parents what happened. Is it going to be told for first or third person point of view?