Welcome! April 6th, 2016 Monday Do Now Find your seats. Write the date at the top of a new page in your journal. Once the bell rings, begin the freewrite. Prompt: “I never would have married you if I'd known…” (Write a story that includes the dialogue above!)

Practicing characterization: Actions How do you create memorable characters? Orson Scott Card (famous science fiction author!) once said, “People become, in our minds, what we see them do. This is the strongest, most irresistible form of characterization.” What will stick in your reader’s mind about your character is not usually about their eye color or what kind of food they like. We remember what actions your characters take.

Practicing characterization: Actions 1. For the next twenty minutes, practice writing an interesting character. Try to avoid giving any physical description unless it’s relevant to the plot. Instead, focus on what your character does in the situation. Aim for at least 10 sentences for full credit. Prompt: Your main character is at a party with a hundred people. What does he or she do?

Practicing characterization Once you finish with your piece, trade with a partner and read through their piece. In their notebook: Circle or underline at least three actions that stick out to you. In the margins, respond to each one. What does this action tell you about your partner’s character? (You need at least two comments for full credit )

Practicing characterization 2. Once you and your partner both comment on each other’s pieces, trade your notebooks back. For the rest of class, you’re going to write a new piece. This time, your character and your partner’s character meet each other at a huge party. How do they interact? What are their impressions of each other? Write at least 15 sentences for full credit. 