Ideas: Creating Characters

8th Grade Lesson PlanAllison Druffel

Purpose:

This is a prewriting activity.

Students will be experimenting with different types of characters and choosing one to feature in a story.

Learning Target:

*The student uses details about appearance, thoughts, actions, and speech to develop a main character for a short story.

*The student utilizes brainstorming and prewriting techniques to generate ideas.

EALR’s (8th Grade):

Writing 1: The student understands and uses a writing processComponent 1.1: Prewrites to generate ideas and plant writingGLE 1.1.1: Analyzes and selects effective strategies for generating ideas and planning writing.

Writing 3: The student writes clearly and effectively.Component 3.1: Develops ideas and organizes writingGLE 3.1.1: Develops convincing characters and settings

Procedure

1. Hold class discussion about what makes an interesting and believable character in a story.

- Appearance- Thoughts- Actions- Speech

2. Provide students with newspapers, magazines, etc.

They should cut out images of things/people that might make interesting characters.

For example….

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Guided Practice: “Interview” the character to create a “character bio.” Guide students to considering things like:

Personality traits Personal history; age, where they grew up, family members, major life events

Do they have any weird habits?What’s their favorite word/phrase?

What’s their daily routine like?How would they react in a stressful situation?

Hobbies? Talents? Things they’re terrible at?

4. Have students choose an image that appeals to them and try it on their own.

5. Share in small groups, with peers asking more questions.

6. Students can then choose a prewriting technique to start a story about the character:

a. idea webb. plot outlinec. free write

Assessment

Description of character’s appearance, thoughts, speech, and actions

Participation in class discussion and peer sharing groups

Adaptations/ExtensionsYounger grades: Focus on just one aspect of the character at a time (thoughts or appearance, for example)

Older grades: Give students a sample conflict. All must write a story about their character in that situation, using all aspects from their character bio.