1. What do you think the term CHARACTER MOTIVATION means?

2. Motivation is what makes characters do the things they do
Motivation is what makes characters do the things they do. Motivation causes characters to think, speak or act in particular ways.
For example, someone who performs in a band might be motivated by
a love of music,
a desire for fame,
or both.

3. Two types of character motivation
intrinsic & extrinsic

4. Intrinsic- means you are motivated to do something internally
Something inside you drives you to do something
EX: wanting to do a good job
EX: wanting to do the right thing
Ex: wanting to be a better person

5. Extrinsic- means you are motivated to do something by an outside force
In other words, things are given to you that drive you to do something
Ex: allowance makes you do chores
Ex: money for good grades

6. To find a character’s motivation you must look at details in the story:
The narrator may make direct comments about a character’s motivation (explicit characterization).
A character’s actions, thoughts, or values are clues to his/her motivation (implicit characterization).
Your understanding of the emotions that drive human behavior will help you find a character’s motivation.

7. Writers rarely state a character’s motivation directly
Writers rarely state a character’s motivation directly. Instead, they plant clues about why characters act as they do.
heroism
greed
love
jealousy

8. One way to infer why a character behaves in a certain way is to work backward. Start with something the character does.
Then, ask yourself, “What did the character want (or want to avoid)?”
Motivation
Action
(Cause)
(Effect)
By looking at the character’s action and answering that question, you can work backward to find the character’s motivation.

9. Nick loved skiing. In fact, with better equipment, he thought he could compete.
Lately, instead of hitting the slopes, Nick has been working at a pizzeria.
What might his motivation be?
to buy better ski equipment.
because he wants to earn money . . .
Nick gets a job . . .

10. Apply Reading Skills Quick Check
Which words show you how this character looks?
The little boy stood in the cereal aisle of the grocery store. He raised a hand to his red, tear-streaked face and put his thumb in his mouth.
With wide eyes, he looked left, then right, then behind him. Then he closed his eyes and whimpered.
Which words show you how this character acts?

11. Apply Reading Skills Quick Check
Which words show you how this character looks?
The little boy stood in the cereal aisle of the grocery store. He raised a hand to his red, tear-streaked face and put his thumb in his mouth.
With wide eyes, he looked left, then right, then behind him. Then he closed his eyes and whimpered.

12. Apply Reading Skills Quick Check
The little boy stood in the cereal aisle of the grocery store. He raised a hand to his red, tear-streaked face and put his thumb in his mouth.
With wide eyes, he looked left, then right, then behind him. Then he closed his eyes and whimpered.
Which words show you how this character acts?

13. Apply Reading Skills Quick Check
Based on current evidence and your own prior knowledge, what inferences can you make about why this character is crying?
The little boy stood in the cereal aisle of the grocery store. He raised a hand to his red, tear-streaked face and put his thumb in his mouth.
With wide eyes, he looked left, then right, then behind him. Then he closed his eyes and whimpered.

14. Apply Reading Skills Quick Check
Based on current evidence and your own prior knowledge, what inferences can you make about why this character is crying?
The little boy stood in the cereal aisle of the grocery store. He raised a hand to his red, tear-streaked face and put his thumb in his mouth.
With wide eyes, he looked left, then right, then behind him. Then he closed his eyes and whimpered.
He’s lost in the store. He’s alone and afraid.

15. Apply Reading Skills Your Turn
In the passage that follows, Paul, a young soldier, is experiencing his first night in Vietnam.
The Vietnam War involved terrifying guerrilla combat, and the jungle was full of enemy fighters.
“You the new guy?”
“Yes.” He did not want to admit it, being new to the war.
The soldier grunted and handed him a stick of gum. “Chew it quiet—OK? Don’t blow any bubbles or nothing.”

16. Apply Reading Skills Your Turn
Based on current evidence and your own prior knowledge, why does Paul not want the soldier to know he is new? What does this say about Paul’s character?
Why does the other soldier not want Paul to blow bubbles? What does this say about the soldier’s character?