Characterization

1. CHARACTERIZATION
LESSON 1 – 9/14 & 9/15

2. LESSON 1 –
TRAJECTORY &
LEARNING
GOALS
 TEKS:
 8.7B - Analyze how characters'
motivations and behaviors influence
events and resolution of the conflict.
Learning Intentions:
 Characterize characters using direct or
indirect characterization.
 Students complete the preassessment
to determine points of concern.
Success Criteria
 I can identify the conflict, feeling, and
motivation of a character.
 I can identify direct and indirect
characterization.
 Complete the Pre-Assessment

3. YOU HAVE 25
MINUTES TO
COMPLETE THE
PRE-ASSESSMENT
Click on
Click on Lesson 1 (9/14 & 9/15)
Click on Pre-assessment
Select Select this week's folder – 9/14 & 9/15
Click on Click on Unit 2
Access Access your Schoology App

4. CHARACTER MOTIVATIONS
A character's motivations - The reason for a characters' feelings and actions.
They are related to the goals a character has and sets off a chain for behaviors:
Motivation - Feelings - Behaviors - Changes in the conflict
A character’s behavior is what he or she says and does.
During a story, a character’s motivations or behavior can change.
Characters' behaviors and motivations affect the conflict, or problem of the story.
Their actions drive the story's events until there is a resolution , or end, to the conflict.
Motivations, behavior, and conflict drive the plot until it builds to a climax and comes to
a resolution, or point where the conflict ends.
•

5. GRAB A PEN & PAPER
TO TAKE NOTES
 You should know
the difference
between direct &
indirect character
development and
define the STEAL
method.

6. DIRECT VS. INDIRECT
CHARACTERIZATION
WHAT
DIFFERENCES DO
YOU SEE?

7. LET'S TRY A FEW
MORE!
PUT YOUR
ANSWERS IN
THE CHAT
AS A/B.
 Choose the answer that matches the character's
motivation, conflict resolution
Type it in the chat (A or B).
 1. A good dog, Trix doesn't beg. With her sweet, innocent doggie
face, Trix gazes up at Len as he takes a bite of a ham sandwich.
What is most likely Trix's motive?
 A. Trix is hoping that Len will give her a piece of ham.
 B. Trix is hoping that Len will pet her and scratch her behind her
ear.
2. Len thinks to himself, "I will not, I will NOT, give Trix a piece of
ham." What is probably Len's conflict?
 A. He is trying to convince himself that he won't give Trix a piece of
ham.
 B. He is trying to decide whether to ignore Trix or pet her and
scratch her ear.
3. Looking into Trix's eyes, Len feels his love for his dog, and he
weakens. What is most likely the resolution of the conflict?
 A. Len gets angry at Trix and at himself and ignores Trix.
 B. Len gives Trix a piece of ham and thinks to himself, "My sweet
dog.

8. LET'S USE THE SCENARIOS BELOW TO IDENTIFY THE CHARACTER'S
MOTIVATION AND THE FEELING THEY SHOW...
 Identify the motivation and the feeling the motivation causes
for each scenario below.
1. Waiting nearby for the jewelry shop to close, the thief repeatedly
checks his watch.
2. The runner stairs deeply at her competition at the starting line, this
time she will not lose.
3. A Captain shakes his head, knowing he is leading his troops into
danger, but he must do so anyway.

9. IDENTIFY THE CONFLICT & MOTIVATION
 Tamara is a talented artist. Her paintings are beautiful and skillfully done. However,
she has trouble getting noticed. As a result, she sells few paintings and is unable
make a living as an artist. One day, she sees a listing for an open position as an
assistant at a well-known art gallery. The job is unpaid, but Tamara thinks it might
help her make connections in the art world. She takes the position. One day, an art
dealer who often visits the gallery asks to see photos of Tamara’s paintings. The
dealer is impressed with Tamara’s work, gives Tamara a show, and all of Tamara’s
paintings sell. It’s the beginning of a successful career.
 1. What conflict does Tamara face?
 2. What is Tamara’s motivation for taking the job as an unpaid assistant?
 3. How the conflict resolved?