1. Building Characters through Language Choice
RL4 Character Development
RL5 Language

2. Targets RL4: Analyzing Story Elements 4
I can analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop and relate characters to other elements of the story, giving specific details. 3
I can analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop and relate characters to other elements of the story. 2
I can analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop characters in the story. 1
I can explain the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop characters in the story.
RL5: Determining Word Meanings 4
I can determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical, and deeply analyze the impact of specific word choice on meaning and tone… 3
I can determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical, and analyze the impact of specific word choice on meaning and tone... 2
I can determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative and technical. 1
I can determine the literal meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text.

3. Considering Character
How is the character developed?
Who is the character?
How do we know?
Direct Characterization
Indirect Characterization
What is the impact of the character?
What role does he/she fill in the story?
Protagonist/Antagonist
Foil
Confidante
Stock
Sweet and innocent lovers
The stingy old man (pantaloon)
The Braggart Soldier
Befuddled parents
Impertinent servants
Tricksters
Dynamic/Static
How does the character impact other characters?
How does the character reveal theme[s]?

4. An Example: Wiglaf How is the character developed?
Wiglaf is a loyal friend to Beowulf and a fierce warrior himself.
We are directly told that Wiglaf is a “good soldier” who did “as a good man must” by staying with Beowulf. Indirect proof comes from Wiglaf’s actions, specifically when he attacks the fire dragon to help Beowulf.
What is the impact of the character?
Wiglaf is a confidante, a character Beowulf can trust, as shown by Beowulf giving Wiglaf his throne as he dies.
Wiglaf allows Beowulf to die a hero; he is viewed as a positive impact.
Wiglaf’s actions provide additional support for the theme of courage in the face of a great enemy initially shown through Beowulf’s naked fight with Grendel.

5. Considering Language Direct Characterization Indirect Characterization
Considering Character
Add, Specific to Tone
Direct Characterization
How does the character describe himself?
How do others describe the character?
Indirect Characterization
What can we infer from how the character’s actions are written?
What can we infer from what the character says?

6. An Example: Wiglaf How is the character developed?
Wiglaf is a loyal friend to Beowulf and a fierce warrior himself.
We are directly told that Wiglaf is a “good soldier” who did “as a good man must” by staying with Beowulf. Indirect proof comes from Wiglaf’s actions, specifically when he attacks the fire dragon to help Beowulf. He cries, “…My sword will fight at your side,” and then stabs the dragon with, “…the boldness he was born with,” even though he sustained a major burn. All of the language related to Wiglaf—“good man…fight at your side…boldness”—is language associated with a protagonist, creating a positive, admirable tone.