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Character Development Activity: (Main 3 characters)

Character Development Activity: (Main 3 characters).

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Character Development Activity: (Main 3 characters)

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  1. Character Development Activity:(Main 3 characters) Character #1—the protagonist (the hero or heroine of this story)Name: Primary Goal: Most notable personality trait(s):Character #2—the antagonist (the main “opposition” character)Name: Primary Goal:Most notable personality trait(s):Relationship to protagonist: Character #3—a major supporting characterName: Primary Goal:Most notable personality trait(s): Relationship to protagonist: 

  2. Academic Writing II – Narrative, Poetry and Drama Week 3 – Plot Development

  3. Plot • Plot refers to the sequence of events in any medium (TV, Movies, Drama, Fiction). • The sequence of events is based on conflict. • Three kinds of conflict: • Man vs. Man • Man vs. Nature • Man vs. Himself • Plot can be based on one or more types of conflict. • This sequence should be logical and follow from one step to another.

  4. Plot Exercise • AnsenDibellsuggests that you should “be able to express the core plot in a sentence or two” (pg17). • “The police chief in a New England community, although terrified of the ocean, sets out to destroy a huge, killer shark.” • Your turn. Choose a popular book or movie and try to briefly and directly summarize it in a sentence. Do not include the title of the piece.

  5. Cause and Effect- Why Important? • Everything in our life happens as the result of cause and effect. Why? Personal Examples? • You are taking this class because it is compulsory. • You are in University because your parents (and yourself) want you to be successful. • You eat because you are hungry (or bored). • You drink because you are thirsty. • Tip: When writing fiction, it is necessary to show the connection – how one thing leads to another.

  6. Developing Plot – Questions to Ask • Story Goal: What is the main problem in my story? • Consequence: So what? If the main character fails, then what? • Requirements: In order for the goal to be achieved, what must happen first? • Pre-requisites: In order for those requirements to happen, what must happen first? • Forewarnings. Directly opposing the Requirements, what could go wrong to indicate that the Goal will never be achieved? • Preconditions. In order for the Forewarnings to happen, what must happen first? • Costs. What price does the main character pay for success? What must s/he sacrifice to achieve the Goal? • Dividends. And the opposite of the Costs, is the unexpected wonderful things that might result of the struggle to gain the goal?

  7. Literary Terms and Ideas • In Media Res– this refers to starting in the middle of the action/story. Authors will then fill in the start of the story through flashbacks or other methods. • Deus Ex Machina– Literal translation is “God from the Machine” – this is any act that makes an improbable or impossible event occur. whereby a seemingly inextricable problem is suddenly and abruptly solved with the contrived and unexpected intervention of some new event, character, ability, or object. • If a hero is in a dire situation where death is pretty much the end result, anything that prevents that death might be considered Deus Ex Machina. • Flashback– an interruption in the chronology to describe an incident that has occurred before. • Foreshadowing – where an author suggests certain plot developments that might come later in the story.

  8. Literary Terms and Ideas • Antagonist– • the antagonist is the character or force that opposes the protagonist; this creates the conflict in the story. • Archetype– • refers to an original model or pattern, a mold; in fiction, it refers to specific character types that are repeated or commonly utilized (eg. The Wicked Stepmother, Prince Charming, The Mad Scientist) • Foil– • refers to any character that contrasts and parallels the main character of the story; this can be the antagonist or may simply be another character. • Narrator– • The voice and implied speaker of a fictional work (as opposed to the actual author). For example, Joseph Lockwood in Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. • Protagonist – • the protagonist is the main character (hero) of the story.

  9. Literary Terms and Ideas Exposition: introduces main characters, shows how they relate to one another, what their goals are, their personalities Rising Action– the term that refers to the action that builds up to the climax of the story. Climax – the peak of the action – usually the final showdown between the good guy and bad guy. Falling Action– The sequence of events that lead from the climax to the denouement. Resolution – the final outcome of the plot

  10. Plot Map Exercise

  11. Genres • Genre refers to the type of story or category of literature to which a given story/novel/film/drama belongs to. • Genre types include: • Children’s • Comedy • Crime/Political • Drama • Fantasy • Horror • Mystery • Romance • Science Fiction • Short Fiction • Thriller/Suspense • Westerns • Young Adult

  12. Plot: Where to start? • Plot development relies on creating a story from an idea. • “Write what you know.” Why? • Examples: past situations, memories, dreams, random ideas, influential people • Past experiences are a beginning, they also need embellishment regardless of what really happened. • Remember: Plot is a Verb.

  13. Common Plot Paradigms: Adventure comes to you. A Stranger comes to town. You go to Adventure. You leave town. Quest. Character oriented story, the protagonist searches for something and winds up changing him/herself. Adventure. Plot oriented, this features a goal-oriented series of events. Pursuit. This is the typical Chase Plot. Definitely action-oriented. Rescue. Where the protagonist is trying to save something/ someone. Escape.the protagonist escapes on his/her own. Revenge.Someone is wronged and vows to take revenge. The Riddle. Love a good mystery? This is the plot for you. Rivalry. Character oriented, this story follows two main characters, one on a downward track and one on an upward track and their interactions. Underdog. Everyone is the US roots for the Underdog. This is the plot where the under-privileged (handicapped, poor, etc) triumphs despite overwhelming odds.

  14. Plot Paradigms – Part II Temptation. Pandora’s Box extended to novel form. Metamorphosis. This is a physical transformation of some kind. Transformation. Similar to the previous, this plot features an inner change, instead of changing the outer form. Maturation.rite of passage, coming-of-age–these terms all refer to someone growing up morally, spiritually or emotionally. Often, it’s just a hint of growth, or a tiny change that hints at larger changes. Love. The classic Boy-meets-Girl plot. Forbidden Love.Brilliant use of the forces that keep her characters apart, while still attracting. Sacrifice. From the Biblical tale of Jesus to the story of parents sacrificing for their children, this is a staple of literature. Discovery.This story exposes secrets and watches them affect the characters.

  15. Plot Paradigms – Part III Wretched Excess. When a character is in a downward spiral from alcohol, drugs, greed, etc. this is the plot form. Ascension or Descension. A rise or fall from power puts a character into this plot form. Milieu. When the setting is in the forefront, as it is in many sff stories, you have a milieu story. The setting, culture, world created is the focus of the story. This explains why Tolkein didn’t stop The Lord of the Rings when the battle against Mordor was won; instead, because the focus is on the milieu, he continues on, following the hobbits home, the leaving of the elves and so on, until the Age of Men is established. Idea. A question is posed and answered. The classic mystery plot. Character. This story begins and ends with pure character. Event. Here, Card says that something in the universe is out of balance and the protagonist must right-the-wrong, restore-the-rightful-king, restore justice, defeat evil, etc. If The Lord of the Rings had been this type story, it would have indeed ended when the evil was defeated.

  16. National Holiday Homework: Character Development Due October 12th Character #1—the protagonist (the hero or heroine of this story)Name: Primary Goal: Most notable personality trait(s):Character #2—the antagonist (the main “opposition” character)Name: Primary Goal:Most notable personality trait(s):Relationship to protagonist: Character #3—a major supporting characterName: Primary Goal:Most notable personality trait(s): Relationship to protagonist: 

  17. National Holiday HW: Plot Development **Due October 12th • 1) What genre is your short story? • 2)What plot paradigm will you be using? (You do not have to choose one on the powerpoint, you can create your own.) • 3) What is the main complication of the story (the central problem that must be solved by the main character)? • 4) What must the main character sacrifice to be successful in the story? • 5) What could go wrong so that the main goal can never be achieved? •  6) How is the story resolved for the main characters (how does it end)? *These answers will change as you write your story. That’s okay! The point is to get you thinking about your work! *These questions are also on the class website. • October 19th Final Draft of your Short Story! (1000-1500 words)

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