1. ASManager2.zip Driver
2. C_DES2.txt File Contents

C_DES2.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2.zip)

Name: <  >
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Date: <  >



Creating Character through Description 2

In these files you are learning about and practicing the use of six basic strategies for developing character. They are:

1) Description
2) Dialogue
3) Action
4) Reactions of other characters
5) Setting
6) Narrative

This file focuses on developing characters through description.

By describing a person's external characteristics, such as dress, posture, mannerisms, carriage, stature, etc., we can often depict inner character.

Here is a description from The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. This scene takes place in the hospital. Johnny, one of the main characters, is severely injured as a result of trying to save some children from a burning building. His friend has come to visit him and encounters Johnny's mother in the hallway.

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As we walked out into the hall, we saw Johnny's mother. I knew her. She was a little woman, with straight black hair and big black eyes like Johnny's. But that was as far as the resemblance went. Johnny-cake's eyes were fearful and sensitive; hers were cheap and hard. As we passed her she was saying, "But I have a right to see him. He's my son. After all the trouble his father and I've gone to raise him, this is our reward! He'd rather see those no-count hoodlums than his own folks..." She saw us and gave us such a look of hatred that I almost backed up. "It was your fault. Always running around in the middle of the night getting jailed and heaven knows what else..." I thought she was going to cuss us out. I really did.

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1) Describe the mother's character as you understand it after reading this passage. Type your answer within the angle brackets.

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2) Please copy or type any phrase that shows the woman's character through physical characteristics. Put the phrase in the space below.

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3) How does the author reveal the mother's character through her dialogue? Copy or type a phrase of dialogue from the passage which illustrates your answer.

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Name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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Rewrite this passage so the woman is portrayed as a gentle and likable person. Rewrite each line of the passage, substituting opposite and positive traits for the negative ones in the original passage. You will need to rewrite the dialogue, but have her talk with the same people. Go through the passage carefully. Make your changes to the wording, but not to the passage structure or flow. Then have a friend or your partner read it to see if you were successful.

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As we walked out into the hall, we saw Johnny's mother. I knew her. She was a little woman, with straight black hair and big black eyes like Johnny's. But that was as far as the resemblance went. Johnny-cake's eyes were fearful and sensitive; hers were cheap and hard. As we passed her she was saying, "But I have a right to see him. He's my son. After all the trouble his father and I've gone to raise him, this is our reward! He'd rather see those no-count hoodlums than his own folks..." She saw us and gave us such a look of hatred that I almost backed up. "It was your fault. Always running around in the middle of the night getting jailed and heaven knows what else..." I thought she was going to cuss us out. I really did.

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Using your revised paragraph, answer the same questions that you answered before.

1) Describe the mother's character as you understand it after reading your rewrite of the passage.

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2) Copy or type any phrase which shows the woman's character through physical characteristics.

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3) How do you reveal the mother's character through her dialogue? Copy or type a phrase of dialogue from your rewrite of the passage which illustrates your answer.

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If you haven't done so already, name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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end of activity
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