Empathic response
Year Ten
Term 1
DRAFT DUE WEEK 3 (Wednesday 14nd Feb)
FINAL DUE WEEK 5 (Tuesday 28th February)
Empathic means to show Empathy
• Empathy means being able ‘to put yourself in someone
else’s shoes.’ To be able to understand what they are
thinking, feeling and experiencing.
• Empathic writing asks you to ‘be them’, to write as though
you are that character/person, in their voice.
• Empathise with the character’s situation or circumstance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HznVuCVQd10
Empathic response from a Burton Character
• 3-5 minutes (550-600 words)
• Draft (in class conferencing) at the end of Week 2
• Final – ready the end of Week 3
• Present – end of Week 3
• Thoughts in the voice of the character, about a specific
event in your chosen film
• Choose a specific scene
• Feelings/emotions – use a wide range of vocabulary to
show how the character felt before, during and after the
incident (short and long term effects)?
• Think about the character’s relationships with other
characters at that point in the film.
Empathic response from a Burton Character
•
Include dramatic effects such as changes in tone, pace, facial
expression, body language, gestures and movement (use the
space)!
•
short pauses for dramatic effect
•
Stay in character
•
Attempt to memorise – palm cards are Ok, but you should know
your script when you perform it!
•
Maintain eye contact with the audience
•
Props and costumes - must relate to your character
•
Practice your script and read it out loud
•
Time your script to ensure you are within the time limit
SCRIPT
• You MUST demonstrate your understanding of the
character – how he/she would react to the situation?
• You need to express your character’s feelings and
emotions.
• You MUST refer to key moments in the film; this will show
that you know the movie well.
• You MUST NOT retell the story.
Summary
• You are asked to consider a particular moment in the text through one of the character’s
eyes.
• To complete this task successfully you will need to show knowledge of the incident, what has
led up to it, what happens to the character later and detailed knowledge of the text and the
character.
• You will need to fully understand and be able to interpret a character, use the character’s
usual responses and show an overall understanding of how the character behaves in the text
as a whole.
• The style adopted must be suitable to the character. For example, Jim and Edward would use
very different language. Try and think of any phrases a particular character might use.
• You must write as the character, therefore using the first person narrative eg: I can’t believe
how stupid I was to listen to jim…
• NOT ‘If I were kim, I would....’
Empathy circle
Empathetic writing: planning grid
When you empathise with a person or a character
you try to see the world through their eyes. You
should also attempt to imagine how they would
feel and express yourself as they might.
FEELINGS
About yourself?
FACTS
What
happened?
Plot
Who was involved?
Character
When and where
did it happen?
Setting
What about the
other people who
are
involved?
Why did it
happen?
Theme
Remember
• First person narrative
• Show comprehensive knowledge of the movie and
themes
• Show knowledge of a particular character’s role and how
he/she relates to other main characters
• Show a character’s likely reactions to the scene
• Use a suitable style (language)
• Show crafted and controlled writing which develops,
sustains, and structures your ideas.
• Show crafted and controlled writing to create the desired
effect.
• Use writing conventions accurately
Opening line
• Your opening line is important! It’s the hook that will
engage the audience. Start with something powerful!
• Write honestly as that person would speak or think or
relate, using their language
• Refer back to the assessment criteria instructions (rubric)
for detail of how the piece is assessed and other relevant
instructions.
Where do I start?
• Choose the event that suits you – it might be because
that is the character that you can relate to the most or
the part of the movie that you liked the best.
• Look for the particular incident in the movie. Watch it
over again. Take notes. Write down any quotes that you
might use (in your own words and first person). Are there
special words or ideas which are repeated by the
character?
• Brainstorm your ideas. What was the character thinking
or feeling at this time? What does the character feel
about the events and other characters?