Characterization

• Protagonist- main character• Antagonist- person/thing against the main character• Dynamic Character- a character that changes in the story• Learns a lesson• Changes an opinion• Grows up• Static Character- a character that doesn’t change in the

story• They usually are minor characters that are of little importance.

CharacterizationKey Terms

• Character traits consist of WHO the character is NOT what the character looks like. They are also NOT emotions that the character experiences.

• Which of the following words are NOT character traits:1. Loyal2. Wicked3. Brown eyes4. Upset5. Judgmental6. Empathetic7. Happy

Character Traits

What you can’t read this? This is the Arkansas Writing Rubric.

Style

What you can’t read this? This is the Arkansas Writing Rubric.

Style

There are really two ways you are tested on style.

1. THE WRITING PROMPT or ESSAY

2. Multiple Choice questions on open response questions and in the writing multiple choice questions.

Style

Style (Voice, Word Choice, and Sentence Fluency)

The reader senses the person behind the words; the writer takes a risk by revealing who they are and what they think.Words are specific and accurate. Words and phrases create pictures in your mind.Lively verbs energize the writing. Precise nouns and modifiers add specificity.Sentence formation enhances the meaning. Sentences vary in length and structure.Fragments, if used, add style. Dialogue, if used, sounds natural.

An advanced writer will….

Style (Voice, Word Choice, and Sentence Fluency)

The writing communicates in an earnest, pleasing manner. Only one or two moments here or there surprise, delight, or move the reader.The writer seems aware of an audience, but uses safe generalities.Writing may be flat or too flowery. The writing is marked by passive verbs, everyday nouns and adjectives, and interesting adverbs.Sentence beginnings are not all alike; some variety is attempted.Parts of the text may be stiff, awkward, or choppy.

A proficient writer will…

Figurative LanguageShow don’t tellVivid VerbsSentence Patterns

These are all elements of style your English teacher has taught you. Now is the time to use them.

Whoa…that is a lot of words

    A bus arrived. It let out its passengers, closed its doors with a hiss, and disappeared over the crest of the hill. Not one of the people waiting at the bus stop had attempted to board. One woman wore a sweater that was too small, a long loose skirt, white socks, and slippers. One man was in his undershirt.  Another wore shoes with the toes cut out, a soiled blue jacket, and brown pants. There was something wrong with these people. They made faces. A mouth smiled at nothing, and unsmiled, smiled and unsmiled. A head shook in vehement denial. Most of them carried brown paper bags rolled tight against their stomachs.

    Each morning I ride the bus to school. I wait along with the other people who ride my bus. Sometimes the bus is late and we get angry. Some guys start fights and stuff just to have something to do. I'm always glad when the bus finally comes.

Which paragraph has more style?What specific things did the writer do to add style?

This is how an edit for style questions might look: try and answer it!7. The boy found a bunch of things in a drawer that was in the old dresser that was stuck.What would be the best way to revise the sentence for clarity and style?A. Toby discovered an assortment of interesting objects in a stuck drawer of the old dresser.B. Toby found a bunch of interesting things stuck in the old dresser drawer.C. Toby opened the stuck drawer of the old dresser and found a bunch of stuff.D. Toby unstuck the drawer of the old dresser and discovered some things inside.

Multiple Choice Items

But why?Let’s go back and see what A does better than any other choice….7. The boy found a bunch of things in a drawer that was in the old dresser that was stuck.What would be the best way to revise the sentence for clarity and style?A. Toby discovered an assortment of interesting objects in a stuck drawer of the old dresser.B. Toby found a bunch of interesting things stuck in the old dresser drawer.C. Toby opened the stuck drawer of the old dresser and found a bunch of stuff.D. Toby unstuck the drawer of the old dresser and discovered some things inside.

You guessed it the answer is A

9. The fruit tasted good.What would be the most effective way to revise this sentence for style?A. The pear that I had on my lunch tray was delicious.B. The juicy orange was just tart enough to be tangy without being bitter.C. Those raisins were chewy and sweet.D. The red apple was crunchy as I bit into it.

This one is a bit more difficult….why do you think your answer is the best?

With your group try to answer this multiple choice question…