1. ASManager2_6.zip Driver
2. L_NARRAT.txt File Contents

L_NARRAT.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2_6.zip)

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Creating Character through Narrative

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 narrative.

In the description files, you described a character's external appearance and mannerisms. From this you implied personality and character.

In a narrative description, you explain the personality and character directly. You describe the appearance, actions, and reactions of the character, and even use bits of dialogue. The narrative can incorporate all of the other five strategies.

See how many of the six strategies you can find in this passage from The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck:

Behind him hobbled Granma, who had survived only because she was as mean as her husband. She had held her own with a shrill ferocious religiosity that was as lecherous and as savage as anything Grampa could offer. Once, after a meeting, while she was still speaking in tongues, she fired both barrels of a shotgun at her husband, ripping one of his buttocks nearly off, and after that he admired her and did not try to torture her as children torture bugs. As she walked she hiked her Mother Hubbard up to her knees, and she bleated her shrill terrible war cry: "Pu-raise Gawd fur vittory."

1. List six adjectives used by Steinbeck to describe Grandma's character in this narrative.

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2. Find an incident that was used to illustrate Grandma's character in this narrative. Make a copy of that incident or type it below.

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3. Delete all except the set of words which best describes Grandma's character.

 a. light-hearted, spirited, proud
 b. gloomy, pessimistic, sad and fearful
 c. intimidating, harsh, pious


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

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You've read a vibrant description of a memorable character. Now create your own memorable character. You may want to base your character on someone you know, exaggerating personality traits to make the character more memorable.

List five adjectives which describe your character:

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Write a paragraph of at least five sentences that are a narrative description of your character.

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Rewrite/Edit

Rewrite and edit your paragraph above. Make sure you have used at least three of the following strategies in your narrative:

Description of your character's physical appearance and mannerisms;

Actions or incidents that illustrate your character's personality;

Reactions of your character to other characters and situations;

Settings that show your character's values and style;

Dialogue.


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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