Reading Art and the art of reading

1. Reading Artand the art of reading EQ: What does a carefully crafted character add to a text? ELACCL9-10RL3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme. Monet, Claude. Wisteria. 1919. Oil on canvas. Paris, Musée Marmottan

2. Authors developCHARACTERthrough both direct and indirect methods. • narration with either implied or explicit judgment • narration with no judgment • physical description • character’s actions • character’s speech • character’s thoughts and feelings Hopper, Edward. Nighthawks. 1942, oil on canvas. The Art Institute of Chicago.

3. Choose a character from the painting below and write a short scene using at least 4 of the 6 methods of characterization. While you must consider setting, point-of-view, and conflict to create a scene, your main consideration should be on character development. Hopper, Edward. Nighthawks. 1942, oil on canvas. The Art Institute of Chicago.

4. Share your scene with a partner. As you read your partner’s scene, identify the methods of characterization used. Did the writer engage you, help you identify with the character, make you care what happens to the character? How could your partner improve the development of the character? Hopper, Edward. Nighthawks. 1942, oil on canvas. The Art Institute of Chicago.