Operating System: Windows(R) and Mac OS XSubmitted by: Yolanda Doyle

Developing Characters and Settings

Why do you think it is important to develop your characters and give a detailed description of the setting?

Write your thoughts in the box.

dramaticshy happy-go-luckyconfused

Which word best suits this sentence?

What kind of character do you think Katie is?

"I never want to see you again," screamed Katie.

"I never want to see you again," sang Katie.

"I never want you to see you again," muttered Katie.

"I never want to see you again," laughed Katie.

My sister and I ran out to play.

I walked into the classroom.

Where's the verb?

Look at your verbs - action words.

1. Replace "said" with something more descriptive.

2. Replace 4 other "plain" verbs with something more descriptive.

Location, location, location.

Where is your story going to be located?

In your rough draft, underline all the parts which tell about your setting.

Read the three sentences one at a time and describe what you are imagining.

Jayne walked through the field.

Jayne walked through the golden wheat field.

Jayne walked through the golden wheat field on a beautiful summer's evening.

Which description helped you visualize the field the best?

Questions you should ask yourself about the setting.

What time of day is it? What is the

weather like?

What is dangerous, looks unusual or is out of place?

What has just happened or is about to happen?

What is hidden there?

Look at your rough draft.

Find at least 3 areas where something is described.

Rewrite or add adjectives to help create a picture in the reader's mind.

How could we make this sentence better and more descriptive?

When my mom called us in, we ate lunch while watching TV.

Look at your rough draft!

Find at least 4 common nouns and make them more specific - or even substitute a proper noun!