How Do Characters in Conflict Influence the Plot of a Story?

How Do Characters in Conflict Influence the Plot of a Story? Feature Menu • Characterization • Describing Appearance • Describing Speech • Showing Actions and Behavior • Revealing Thoughts and Feelings • Including Other Characters’ Views • Directly Describing Character Traits • Characters and Conflict • Your Turn

Characterization The way a writer reveals the personality of a character is called characterization. Just like real people, characters in stories have qualities, or character traits, such as laziness courage kindness

Characterization Notice how the writer characterizes Leo as a smart dog. “Today is the day I’ll get that pesky squirrel,” thought Leo. “I know he’ll be checking out that little bit of dog food I left in my bowl—just for that purpose! If I hide under the steps, he won’t see me. Then I can pounce when he gets near the bowl!”

Characterization A writer can reveal character traits in six ways: 1. Describing appearance 2. Describing speech 3. Showing actions and behavior 4. Revealing thoughts and feelings 5. Including other characters’ views 6. Directly describing character traits

Characterization 1 Describing appearance Look for details that describe how a character looks and dresses. Devon has a unique sense of style. She wears mismatched colors but still manages to look great! Who but Devon would cut the sleeves off a man’s woolen shirt and create a stylish jacket? Her belt buckle, large and showy, seems to say, “Look at me! I like how I look!”

Characterization 2 Describing speech How characters talk and what they say helps reveal their personalities. “What’s your name, son?” growled the sergeant. “Speak up! In battle we have to be able to hear each other clearly!” The sergeant’s voice softened as he continued, “We’re all in this training together. We work as a unit to help each other when needed.”

Characterization 3 Showing actions and behavior How characters act and react can tell a lot about their personalities. Jinx pounced on the ball, spun around, and raced to the other end of the yard. Movement in the bushes caught his eye, and off he dashed, returning several seconds later. Once again eyeing the ball, he rolled on it several times, jumped up, and pawed it furiously.

Characterization 4 Revealing thoughts and feelings Writers may show what a character is really thinking and feeling. Rosa’s words were a blur. Ruben was having a difficult time focusing on what she was saying. “She’s so beautiful,” he thought. “Why can’t I tell her how I feel? We’ve been friends for so long. Surely, she knows that I like her—a lot.”

Characterization 5 Including other characters’ views Pay attention to what other characters say about the main character. “Grandpa is never too busy to play with us,” said Dana. “He tells the best stories and always makes us laugh.” “All of my friends want to hang out with him when he’s visiting,” added Andy. “We’re lucky to have a Grandpa who is so much fun!”

Characterization 6 Directly describing character traits A writer sometimes just tells you what the character is like. The teachers liked Jamal. He was smart and respectful, and he had a good sense of humor. When called upon in class, Jamal would usually know the answer. His classmates were equally fond of him, so there was little doubt who the next class president would be.

Characterization Quick Check “Oh no, here comes Eric!” little Ronnie yelled. “Hide me!” Eric pushed his way through the crowded bus, knocking aside several of the smaller children. Big for his age, he towered above the others. “Okay,” he growled, “everybody listen up. This seat is mine. I’d better not catch anyone else sitting in it!” “I shouldn’t have to ride the bus with these creeps,” he thought. How does the writer reveal Eric’s character traits? [End of Section]

Characters and Conflict A story’s plot has a main conflict, or struggle • between characters or • within a single character or • both

Characters and Conflict In an external conflict, characters struggle with forces outside themselves. society nature other characters

Characters and Conflict An internal conflict is a character’s emotional struggle to • overcome a fear • make a difficult choice “I have to tell Coach Simms about my hurt shoulder,” thought Rose. “I can’t keep pretending everything’s okay. But what if he benches me? What if I don’t get to play anymore this season? My team needs me, and I need to play!”

Characters and Conflict The main character in any conflict is called the protagonist. The antagonist opposes the main character. Amy couldn’t wait to tell her family the good news. She had secretly tried out for the school play and had just been told she got the lead! “No sister of mine is going to make a fool out of herself in front of everyone!” exclaimed Alex. “Go back up there right now, and tell them they made a mistake!” Who is the antagonist? Who is the protagonist?

Characters and Conflict Quick Check • Is this an external or internal conflict? • Who is the antagonist? Tara was deep in thought as she walked to her locker. Only three more days of school left, and then she was free for the summer! “Hey, Stick!” yelled Kayla from the other end of the hall. “Who dressed you this morning? Whoever it was must have been playing a joke!” Kayla laughed as Tara ran into a nearby classroom.

Characters and Conflict A character’s traits, or qualities, determine how he or she handles conflict. In an adventure story filled with danger, the main character might be • brave • physically strong • confident These traits will affect the character’s actions and the choices that he or she makes.

Characters and Conflict Quick Check Known throughout the kingdom for her intelligence and bravery, Ilsa rode far ahead of the others. Suddenly, she fell from her horse and faced two enemy attackers! With little thought for her own safety, she yelled to warn the others. Sword flashing, she struck an overhead tree limb. Both surprised attackers were pinned under the weight of the branch. How do Ilsa’s traits affect how she handles conflict? [End of Section]

Analyze Characters Your Turn Think of a conflict between two characters from a movie, book, or TV show. List several of each character’s traits in outlined heads like the ones on the right. Identify which character won the conflict, and explain how that character’s traits influenced the outcome. foolish wicked self-centered mean tricky tough smart brave hardworking generous

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How Do Characters in Conflict Influence the Plot of a Story?