Empathetic Questions

All must: Understand what an empathetic question is. Most should: Being able to complete task 1 Some could: Finish the overall empathetic question. Learning objectives

Definition of empathy  The power of understanding and imaginatively entering into another person's feeling.

So what is an empathetic question?  A question in which you have to put yourself in the mind of the character and write their thoughts and emotions at a certain point in a novel.  It’s fictional writing however you must follow the story line and refer to past events.  You can make subtle differences but do not change the events in the book.

Anticipate Characters’ Reactions  Take past events into consideration.  Setting and Weather linked to emotion.  Character’s personality – How would they respond?  Consider relationships with other characters.  Their current situation.  How they have reacted to past situations. How to answer an Empathetic Question.

Referencing past events of the novel  This is incorporating past events of the novel into your writing. This enhances character voice and shows your understanding of the novel.  “I feel scared. More scared than I was when I was being chased by the crow.”  Fear, comparison, understanding...

Referencing past events of the novel  TASK: Write your own short example (a couple of sentences) for any character in the novel, where you reference a past event in the novel. You have 3 minutes to do this. Remember to ask if you are stuck.

Character’s voice  Character’s voice is the characteristic speech and thought patterns of a first-person narrator; a persona. This is one of the most important elements of a piece of writing. Examples: 1. “Mummy is getting married to Mr Hooper today” 2. “You don’t have a Father. You are rubbish.” Hooper mocks. “Fathers are way better than Mothers! You don’t have anything.”  Childish language e.g. Mummy, rubbish.  Childlike reaction.  Petty anger.  Simple.  Short sentences.  Abrupt.  Changes thoughts easily.  Teasing remarks e.g. bringing up Kingshaw’s lack of a father figure.

Strategies to create voice: (Pre exam planning)  Annotate a scene from the book to pick out language and structure the author uses to present the character then use it in your own work.  Establish what your character’s personality is. (In exam planning)  Quickly re-read scenes with your character speaking to other characters so you can remind yourself how they interact.  Write a mind map or list of words and phrases the character uses.  Try to write something that would not look out of place in the book.

Now your turn!  You are Edmund Hooper. You are in the forest during the storm. Write your thoughts. You have 10 minutes then we will hear some examples.

Summary  Remember;  Put yourself in the character’s shoes  Look through the characters eyes  Speak through the characters voice  Reference past experiences  Anticipate reaction