Unit One: Characterization Creative Writing

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Unit One CharacterizationCreative Writing
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Terms

• Characters are people that inhabit stories.
• Protagonist--Major character at the center of the
  story.
• Example Frodo Baggins
• Antagonist--A character or force that opposes the
  protagonist.
• Example Sauron
• Minor character--0ften provides support and
  illuminates the protagonist
• Example Sam Gangee

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Terms

• Static character--A character who remains the
  same.
• Dynamic character--A character who changes in
  some important way.
• A flat character is not fully developed we know
  only one side of the character.
• A round character is fully-developed, with many
  traits--bad and good--shown in the story. We feel
  that we know the character so well that he or she
  has become a real person.

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Relationships of Character
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Assignments
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Quick Quiz Where do these characters fit?
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Characterization

• Defies expectation- Avoids stereotype
• For example
• Frodo is small, yet defies everyones expectation
  by being so brave and soulful
• Aragorn seems to be a jaded loner, yet evolves
  into an inspirational leader
• Golem seems like a treacherous snake, but in fact
  proves capable of compassion and regret

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Characterization

• Delivers relevant and interesting physical
  description such as
• Physical traits
• Attire
• Mannerisms-
• Speech patterns
• Yet, Avoids all points bulletin style
• Limit description to what relevant to plot
• Something needs a reason to be noticed

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Characterization

• Places character convincingly in environment
• For example
• What do they do for a living? For Fun?
• Goes drinking with his buddies- annoys old
  people, travels
• How would they react to different places
• Rivendell, Mordor, Bilbos birthday party
• What stuff do they have?
• Ex. Sword Sting
• Where do they live?
• Bag End

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Characterization

• Puts character in motion
• Characters dont just stand around to be
  described-
• What are they doing? How are they doing it?
• Example- Golem slinks around like a dog- always
  hungry, always subservient

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Characterization

• Reveals the characters inner world
• Dreams, visions, memories, and thoughts
• Gives us two for one descriptions of places,
  other characters, etc.- not only what theyre
  like but how our character feels about them.
• Golems bi-polar conversation.

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Theme Super powers
(Play Recording)
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What do you do?

• So you possesses fantastic powers greater than
  normal people releasing you from the laws and
  restrictions that confine the lives of mere
  mortals
• What do you draw moral guidance from? (now that
  you no longer fear authority)
• How to use your power? (Personal gain vs. saving
  world)
• What is your responsibility? (Since you can save
  the world)
• How do you relate to normal people?
• Not to mention costumes, secret identities,
  trademark weapons, hideouts, minions/allies

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Superheroism

• With great power comes great responsibility
• Pros
• Cons

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Super Villainy

• Great Power? Booohoooo ha ha ha ha!
• Pros
• Cons