How Character's Actions Affect a Story

How Character's Actions Affect a Story exercise

• What aspects of character must an author include?

  Hints

  Plot is the sequence of events in a narrative.

  There are four correct answers.

  Solution

  Characters are made of their:

  • traits
  • emotions
  • actions
  • motivations

  These parts help to move along the plot logically and help you predict what will happen next!

• Define aspects of characterization.

  Hints

  Here is an example of how an author describes a character's emotions:

  Terrance was feeling nervous the day of the big exam.

  Here is a sentence that describes a character's traits:

  The kind old man adopted a puppy.

  Solution

  An author must connect a character to the plot. This is because then the actions in the story make sense. When writing a narrative text, an author must include a character's traits, emotions, actions, and motivations.

  1. Traits are words that help you understand a character's personality.
  2. Emotions are words that tell you how a character is feeling.
  3. Actions are what a character does or does not do.
  4. Motivations are the reasons for a character's actions.

• Make a prediction based on a characterization.

  Hints

  If you study a little bit each night, there is a good chance you will pass the exam.

  When you succeed, you feel proud.

  Solution

  The solution is as follows:

  • I predict that Ernie will be confident while taking the test. I think he will pass.
  • I know this because he was prepared. After the test, I think Ernie will feel proud.

  You can predict a positive, successful outcome, based on these actions of Ernie:

  • He studied a little bit each night, not all at once.
  • He goes to bed early, not late.
  • He eats a healthy breakfast, not a sugary one.

• Determine characters' traits based on author's descriptions.

  Hints

  There are three traits of Bertha's in the story.

  A character's traits can be seen in how they treat others.

  Solution

  Green highlights:
  Koko is so excited for the trip, she forgets her jacket. She also forgets about Bertha's feelings and keeps telling the scary story.

  Yellow highlights:
  Pip is a caring friend. He lights a fire for everyone. He knows he has to do something to save Bertha from the story, but he doesn't yell at Koko. Instead, he puts out the fire with his tail to make it be bed time.

  Blue highlights:
  Bertha is also a good friend. She's often hungry and is a kind friend who shares her snacks. She is afraid of ghost stories and isn't ashamed to admit it!

• Recall how characters' actions and traits affect a story.

  Hints

  Jane doesn't notice her lace is untied because she is in a hurry. Why might someone be in a hurry?

  Another word for leisurely is slowly.

  Solution

  In the story, Jane is careless and excited.

  These traits cause the action of her taking off quickly. She doesn't notice his skate is untied and crashes.

  In the story, Ernie is careful and slow. These traits cause him to move leisurely. He tries to warns Jane, but it is too late.

• Analyze how a character's actions affect a story.

  Hints

  Piano keys are pushed or pressed to make sound. This is an action.

  When you are nervous you may sweat.

  Solution

  Trait:
  When the author says Ginny is "practicing every day", I can tell that Ginny is determined.

  Emotion:
  When the author says Ginny "paced up and down the stage hall", I can tell Ginny is nervous.

  Action:
  When the author says that Ginny "took a deep breath and pressed down on the keys," I can tell that Ginny played the piano.

  Motivation
  When the author says that Ginny could be "accepted to Dryfuss Middle School for the Arts," I can tell that Ginny is motivated by passion.