[This program adapts well to different age groups and various lengths — from a one-hour overview to a full week residency — to meet your curriculum and budget needs. See Programs & Services for more information.]

 

 

 

Character: The Foundation of Narrative

Five-day lesson plan outline

 

During this residency, each student will create one or two characters and then write a story about those characters, using vivid detail to bring the characters to life. Special attention will be given to revision. Handouts, class discussion, and feedback will guide students. Teachers’ participation is essential. Each teacher should create his/her own characters and story and share them, as the students will.

 

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Day 1

· An author’s character creation process.

· Class works together to create a complex, original character.

· Students start work on individual original characters.

· Where do story ideas come from?

· Homework: Finish character webs or autobiographies, think about plot ideas.

 

Day 2

· Read and discuss character sketches.

· Brainstorm plot possibilities.

· Students start writing stories.

· Homework: Revise stories, working character into dialogue and action.

 

Day 3

· Story structure.

· Detail and elaboration.

· Analyze example from a popular award-winning book.

· Homework: Finish first drafts of stories.

 

Day 4

· Revision.

· Feedback and suggestions on students’ stories.

· Homework: Revise stories, with attention to detail and vivid words.

 

Day 5

· Discuss revision problems and victories.

· Questions, review.

· Optional: How to become an author.

 

The Goals

· Students have a new enthusiasm for writing.

· They gain an appreciation for the thought process behind the fiction they read. Most have never realized that what makes a novel work, more than anything else, is the presence of irresistible characters.

· They have fun revising. No, really! They gain understanding of how they can bring stories alive with detail and elaboration.

· They learn to listen carefully and offer each other helpful suggestions, so the class can continue workshopping stories.