1. Today’s Objective
SWBAT: Identify character traits and motivation in a script.
Character Traits and Motivation
Materials: Journals, Sticky Notes, Akeelah CD, Online Video, Online Character Motivation Tool
HO: Character Motivation Quiz, Character Traits List, Examples of Motivation, Akeelah and the Bee scene B
Activator: Review the meaning of characterization
Show the “Inside of the Mind” bonus feature from Akeelah to show students how a director/writer works with an actor to reveal character
Discuss as a class
Introduce and discuss motivation show video
Your character desperately wants to defeat his enemy.
Your character badly wants to win a contest.
Your character badly wants to be in control.
Your character's greatest desire is to be noticed by a significant other.
Your character wants to stop criminals.
Your character is trying to win a game.
Your character wants to eliminate corruption.
Your character's biggest wish is to be attractive.
Your character desperately wants to protect her home.
Administer the Character Motivation Quiz
Show the first part of Scene 10/”Javier’s Birthday Party” (…up to Akeelah going with Javier) then ask the guiding questions below
What did they learn about Georgia changing her mind to about going to the party? (insecure in a new , different setting)
How did the filmmakers help you to know this?
Ask them what is Georgia’s motivation for staying in the car? Why did she do what she did? (to feel comfortable)
Explain that the reason she acted that way is her motivation
Distribute character traits list, examples of motivation, and the Akeelah and the Bee scene B handouts
Prompt students to read the scene B and make a list of character traits and examples of motivation (have sticky notes available to help students annotate text as needed)

2. Characterization Review
You will now observe how the writer/director works with an actor to reveal character.
Bonus Feature:
“Inside the Mind of Akeelah”

3. Introduction to Motivation
Motivation: The character’s reason to act a certain way
Questions to Consider:
What makes them do what they do? (backstory/exposition)
What is the character’s end game?

4. Introduction to Motivation
Generate a list in your journals of things that might motivate a character.
Examples of Motivation Video:
definition-examples.html
Character Motivation Generator
acter-motivation.htm

5. Introduction to Motivation
Backstory/Exposition
Examples of things to consider when trying to determine character
motivation…
Where was character raised?
What character rich or poor?
Does the character have a job?
Does character treat people well?
Is the character mean?
Does the character have friends?
Is the character artistic?
Is the character intelligent?
Is the character aware of his purpose in life?

6. Motivation
You will now observe how the writer/director works with an actor to reveal character.
Scene:
“Javier’s Birthday Party”

7. Class Discussion: Motivation
What did you learn by Georgia’s changing her mind about going to the party?
How did the filmakers help you
know this?
What is Georgia’s motivation
for staying in the car?/Why did
she do what she did?
Play scene up to Akeelah going with Javier

8. Making Connections: Conflict
When the motivation of characters are at
odds, that is when there is character vs.
character conflict.

9. Developing Character Online Tools
Character Personality Generator
personality.htm
Character Quirk Generator
Character Flaws and Weaknesses Generator
Character Interests Generator
Character Question Generator
question.htm