1. In order to be proficient on our next literature proficiency you must understand and be able to identify the characters actions and motives of a piece of literature through textual support and explanation.

2.  This is identifying in the story what the characters are doing. You will pick a quote from the story to show the characters doing something.  The characters actions influence everything in the story: The plot (the direction the story is going) The theme (the lesson you are supposed to learn from the story)

3.  Character motivation is the “why” behind why they did what they just did.  For example: In the 5 th book of the Harry Potter Series, Harry uses an unforgiveable curse (this is his action). He does this because he is so consumed with grief (this is his motivation).

4.  The character’s actions advance the plot of the story.  Because a character decided to do something the story changes. Example from The Hunger Games: because Prim is chosen at the Reaping, Katniss acts and volunteers herself as tribute. Thus changing the plot of the story, we now know as the reader that Katniss will have to go to The Hunger Games.  What is the motive behind Katniss volunteering? (answer in your notes)

5.  The character’s motives help promote the theme of the story.  The trick with theme is understanding there is no right or wrong answer, as long as you can support yourself with textual evidence (quotes from the story)  Let’s go back to The Hunger Games example: If I said that the theme of the novel was to protect those you love at all cost. Does Katniss’s volunteering at the Reaping, in order to protect her younger sister from dying in The Hunger Games (the underlined part of that sentence being the “character motive”) promote the theme I have decided on?

6.  Please remember to go back to your WSQ and do your summary and question! (remember my expectations on both of these elements!)