Developing Characters in a Story
Teaching Students to Write Stories Using a Character Map
Dec 22, 2008
When teaching students how to write a story involving characters, it can sometimes be difficult to get them to develop that character throughout the story. Remembering to build a strong character in a story is important to good story writing, and having students use a character map will help. Using a story map will teach students how to develop the characters in their story without you having to prompt them to add details at each step of the writing process.
Developing a Story Character
Starting with the physical description, students need to describe each character to the reader. Teaching students to describe their characters though the story, instead of simply listing character traits, can take a little bit of effort. Using a character map can help them to remember what information needs to be included in the story. For elementary students, consider spending time having students give sample sentences demonstrating how to include each element of the character into the story.
Positive and Negative Qualities
The characters in a story, much like people in real life, need to have both positive and negative qualities to make them seem realistic. Have students brainstorm ideas for their story that can demonstrate these qualities in their character. This aspect of story-telling will encourage your students to think critically and will in effect, expand their story.
Major Action in the Story
Having at least two major actions in the story, will help the students develop a plot, and provide enough action for character development. As the students brainstorm ways to demonstrate positive and negative character qualities, they should naturally come up with story action. When working with students on improving stories, adding a major action will generally provide enough room for the missing details.
Impact on Other Characters
Through the character development, students need to include details that help the reader know what impact the character had on the other characters in the book. Having the characters interacting in the story will provide realism for the reader. Discuss with students how any one action can impact any number of other people, and demonstrate ways to include these details in the story. At the same time, students can include narration that discusses what the character should have done in different situations. Allowing characters to make mistakes is one way to demonstrate both negative and positive qualities.
Demonstrating Change in the Character
By the end of any experience, a person is changed. Help students understand this important aspect of story-telling. Without a change in the character, what point is there to the story? Usually the character will learn a lesson at the end of the story, whether from a mistake made, or simply through circumstances.
Have students map out their character on paper before writing the story, in order to help them think through what they want to write. In the center of the map, the students can put the character’s name. This will provide them a handy reference for use while writing the story over the next days and weeks. Consider having the students use a pocket folder for organization so that they do not lose any papers.
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