What draws readers into a story?

Short Story Notes #2:Connecting with Characters

Short Story Notes #2:Connecting with Characters

Vivid, complex characters whose problems and triumphs draw out our emotions and reveal some truth about humankind.

•Characters can be a person, animal or thing that takes part in the action of a literary work

• The action of the story revolves around the protagonist and the conflict he or she faces. It is his or her story

Main CharactersMain CharactersProtagonist—the main character of a story.

Antagonist—the character or force in conflict with the protagonist--who they struggle against and must overcome.

Minor characters

•take part in the story’s events/plot, but are not the main focus of attention

•add depth and complication to the plot.

•Sometimes help the reader learn more about the main character

Minor CharactersMinor Characters

Main character

Friends

Round characters--are fully developed

• have many different character traits that sometimes contradict each other (they can be both good and bad)

Round Characters(versus flat characters)

Round Characters(versus flat characters)

• are much like real people, with several sides to their personality

• Often have a back-story

Flat characters- have no depth, and are like a piece of cardboard

• They have only one or two personality/character traits

• can be described in a few words

• Often have little or no personal history

Flat Characters Flat Characters

Dynamic characters

• change or grow as a result of the story’s actions

Dynamic Characters (versus Static Characters)

Dynamic Characters (versus Static Characters)

• learn something about themselves, other people, or the world as they struggle to resolve their conflicts

The changes that a dynamic character undergoes contribute to the meaning and the Theme of the story.

Static characters

• do not change or grow

Static Characters (Versus Dynamic Characters)

Static Characters (Versus Dynamic Characters)

• are the same at the end of a story as they were in the beginning

Minor characters are often static characters.

(hero) a male character or

(heroine) a female character whose actions are inspiring, valiant, or noble

Hero/HeroineHero/Heroine

Motivation—Is the reason that drives a character’s actions.

MotivationMotivation

• explains the character’s behaviors/actions

• is often based on character’s fears, conflicts, needs

Motivation can be inferred by observing characters’ behavior, speech, actions.

• reveals personality

FoilFoil

Foil-- a person whose main purpose in the story is to make another character look brighter

•The foil makes the other character “shine”

Foil

Think of a story you’ve read in which the protagonist faces powerful conflicts. Use a Tree Map like the one to map out the conflicts and their resolutions, as well as the protagonist’s motivations.

PracticePracticeProtagonist•

Motivation•

Internal Conflict•

Resolution•

Motivation•

External conflict and antagonist•

Resolution•

Direct Characterization

(The author specifically tells the reader)

Direct Characterization

(The author specifically tells the reader)

The writer tells you as a reader exactly what the character is like

This can include physical traits and well as personality traits.

Ex: “The girl was lazy, indolent, and unmotivated”

The writer tells you as a reader exactly what the character is like

This can include physical traits and well as personality traits.

Ex: “The girl was lazy, indolent, and unmotivated”

Indirect CharacterizationThe writer shows (not tells) the reader about a character

Indirect CharacterizationThe writer shows (not tells) the reader about a character

The writer does not directly tell you what a character is like

The reader must observe the character

The reader comes to his or her own conclusions about the personality of a character

The writer does not directly tell you what a character is like

The reader must observe the character

The reader comes to his or her own conclusions about the personality of a character

Ways an author shows Indirect CharacterizationWays an author shows

Indirect Characterization

1. Appearance -How the character looks

2. Action -What the character is doing

3. Speech -What the character says

4. Thoughts and Feelings -What the character is thinking inside his or her head

5. Other Characters’ Reactions 6. What other characters say about him or her 7. What other characters think about this character8. How other characters act toward him/her

1. Appearance -How the character looks

2. Action -What the character is doing

3. Speech -What the character says

4. Thoughts and Feelings -What the character is thinking inside his or her head

5. Other Characters’ Reactions 6. What other characters say about him or her 7. What other characters think about this character8. How other characters act toward him/her