Characterization Notes & Practice

Bell Ringer

Agenda Bell Ringer/MUGShot Sentences/ACT Practice Characterization Notes Guided Socratic Seminar Revisit “The Lottery” –Do characterization write-around SSR Character tracking sheet for a character in your novel

Characterization Review Instead of giving you notes, you can use any resource you can find to find the following definitions: You have 10 minutes. You may work with a partner. Use your Q-notes page to write definitions and examples. Round character (also, find an example of a round character) Flat character (also, find an example of a flat character) Static character (also, find an example of a static character) Dynamic character (also, find an example of a dynamic character) Foil character (also, find an example of foil characters)

Characterization Review How do we figure out what type of character we are dealing with? Direct characterization: looking at what the text says directly about the character (no guess-work here—it just comes right out and says it). Ex: “Jim, who was known around town to be the typical, lazy drunk, hiccupped loudly before he knocked over his drink.” Ex: “Mary was short, stocky, and generally a happy young woman.”

Characterization Review How do we figure out what type of character we are dealing with? 2) Indirect characterization: Clues from the text (making inferences) indicate certain character traits without mentioning them directly. (Showing not telling). Ex: “Jim swayed in his seat staring at his empty glass. Hiccupping, he tries to stand, but falters, slipping back to his seat. His red cheeks darken and he snaps at the waiter, slurring, “Anovther pwease.” (What can you infer about the character? What clues led you there?) Ex: “Mary had to look up at all of her friends during conversations, but her clear eyes always carried a sparkle and she was known for that unwavering smile.”

Characterization Review How do we figure out what type of character we are dealing with? When dealing with indirect characterization, look at: What does the character say and what does this say about his/her personality? What do other characters say about them? What does this hint at? What does the character do? What type of person would do something like that?

Characterization Review Read the passage below; then, respond to the question in the bottom box of your notes page: Julie held up six different outfits in front of the mirror and pondered which would go best with her brand new, navy blue shoes, her usual, thick pastel eye shadow and the diamond earrings she’d already fished from her overflowing jewelry box. After a full ninety minutes of mixing and matching and cell-phoning her sister three times for advice, Julie finally made up her mind. She would have to make a last-minute trip to the mall. She had one shot to impress Trent, and this, she thought, would be the only way.

Guided Socratic Discussion Rules of Socratic: -Everyone must participate in the discussion at least once. -Do not dominate the discussion—make sure everyone has a chance to contribute. -You are talking to each other—the teacher pretty much stays out of it, so look at each other when you speak, not me. -Be respectful. There are ways to disagree respectfully. -Always give examples to back up your points.

Guided Socratic Discussion Question for discussion: What are some character traits (positive or negative) that you think should probably show up in a novel that is supposed to represent Americans? Why do you say this?

Guided Socratic Discussion Question for discussion: When thinking about the types of characters (flat, round, static, dynamic), which would you expect to see in novels that are supposed to represent life in America?

Guided Socratic Discussion Question for discussion: What makes a character “interesting” or a “good character?”

Guided Socratic Discussion Question for discussion: In a novel that is supposed to represent life in America, how much diversity do you expect? What kind of diversity do you expect if any? Why do you say this?

Characterization in “The Lottery” Revisit “The Lottery” thinking about characterization Complete the write-around with your partner

SSR-silent, sustained reading Everyone reads Everyone is silent No technology at all

Character Tracking in Your Novel Choose a character to track in your novel. Complete the character tracking sheet for this character. This will probably require you to look back at parts of the story you’ve already read.