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

G_DIADES.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2_6.zip)

Name: <  >
Class: <  >
Date: <  >

Creating Character
Through Dialogue and Description

In preceding activities you learned about the use of Description and Dialogue to develop a character. In Description you learned how to describe, or draw, a word portrait of a character. In Dialogue you learned that you can tell a lot about a character from the way he says what he says.

In this activity, you will write a dialogue for an already created character. The character description is from literature. The dialogue is from your imagination.

Below is a character description from "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner.

They rose when she entered -- a small, fat woman in black, with a thin gold chain descending to her waist and vanishing into her belt, leaning on an ebony cane with a tarnished gold head. Her skeleton was small and spare; perhaps that was why what would have been merely plumpness in another was obesity in her. She looked bloated, like a body long submerged in motionless water, and of that pallid hue. Her eyes, lost in the fatty ridges of her face, looked like two small pieces of coal pressed into a lump of dough as they moved from one face to another while the visitors stated their errand.

Now please scroll up and read the description a second time. This time imagine how this character's personality would be expressed in the way she talks. Visualize the character; see her move and hear her speak.

You are one of the visitors, come to state your errand. You are asking her assistance.

Why Are You Here?

What are you asking her assistance for?

<  >

Who Are You?

Write a brief description of your own character based on the errand you are on.

<  >

Write a Dialogue between the Characters

Now create a dialogue between yourself and the woman. State your request. Listen to her response. Create at least ten lines of dialogue between yourself and the woman.

<  >

Rewrite/Edit the Dialogue

Look carefully at how the lady spoke to you. Can you add anything to the way she spoke? Describe how her voice sounds as she speaks. The list below may help you.

Words to use instead of said:

sobbed       declared   suggested  argued      cried
questioned   bragged    corrected  inquired    asked
began        called     ordered    wept        sighed
claimed      informed   smiled     blurted     mumbled
observed     warned     snapped    advised     glared
told         reminded   stated     retorted    gulped

Can you add anything to her mannerisms as she talks? Try to describe what she does with her hands, how she moves, and what her facial expressions are like.

Scroll up to your dialogue and rewrite, adding details that help the reader see and hear the characters.


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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