Lesson Plan
Unit Topic: Short Story Writing
Lesson Title: Developing Characters
Objectives:
1. SWBAT apply concepts about characters in their writing.
2. SWBAT identify different kinds of characters.
3. SWBAT work in groups to evaluate each other’s writing.
Content Standards: Michigan Content Standards 1,2,3,6,7,9,10,12
Materials: Students will need paper, pencils, and a computer with internet access.
Teacher will need an overhead that outlines the lesson and handouts for the students
(copy attached).
Length: This lesson is intended for a two hour class period.
Opening: (5-10 minutes)
The teacher will begin by telling the students that they will be learning about characters
today, and then reading the following passage from Ralph Ellison’s “King of the Bingo
Game”. The students will have a copy in front of them if they choose to read along.
The woman in front of him was eating roasted peanuts that smelled so good that
he could barely contain his hunger. He could not even sleep and wished they’d hurry and
begin the bingo game. There, on his right, two fellows were drinking wine out of a bottle
wrapped in a paper bag, and he could hear soft gurgling in the dark. His stomach gave a
low, gnawing growl. “If this was down South,” he thought, “all I’d have to do is lean
over and say, ‘Lady, gimme a few of those peanuts, please ma’am,’ and she’d pass me
the bag and never think nothing of it.” Or he could ask the fellows for a drink in the
same way. Folks down South stuck together in that way; they didn’t even have to know
you. But up here it was different. Ask somebody for something, and they’d think you
were crazy. Well, I ain’t crazy. I’m just broke, ‘cause I got no birth certificate to get a
job, and Laura ‘bout to die ‘cause we got no money for a doctor. But I ain’t crazy.
The teacher will ask if anyone wants to tell her why they think she read this particular
passage. She will ask for any other comments the students have about the excerpt. A
small discussion will ensue, where the teacher will ask other questions:
Do you think this is a good way to introduce a character? Why?
From what point of view is this piece written in?
What kind of a character is this?
Purpose/Objectives: (5 minutes)
The teacher will tell the students about the purpose of the lesson:
We have been learning about the elements of a short story. Characters lead a
story, they are the story, and in a short story, the author only has a few pages to describe
the characters. Learning about the methods we can use to help the reader get a better
picture of the character is essential to writing good short stories. There are many
different ways that we can learn about characters, and today we will cover the basics.
Lesson Outline: (student copy is included at the end of this lesson) (30-45 minutes)
The teacher will ask if anyone wants to define the terms before she does, since many of
them may already have ideas.
A. Direct Presentation/Indirect Presentation
B. Points of view:
1. First Person
2. Omniscient
3. Limited Omniscient
4. Objective
C. Types of Characters:
1. Flat
2. Round
3. Stock
4. Unique
5. Static
6. Dynamic
7. Protagonist
8. Antagonist
Review (10 minutes)
The teacher will ask students to comment on why an author may choose to use certain
perspectives or types of characters to convey certain messages and ideas in a story.
Students will be asked to reflect on the paragraph read at the beginning of the lesson:
what kind of character it was, what perspective it was written in, etc.
In-Class Assignment: (to be handed out to students) (45-50 minutes)
Now that we have learned about character development and elements of plot, your inclass assignment is to further your understanding of short stories. Follow the directions
below. Number one is a link to page that explains plot. After visiting this site, go to link
number two and read the short story by Alice Walker entitled “The Flowers”. Next,
peruse link number three, which further outlines plot elements in question form. On a
separate sheet of paper, answer these questions in relation to “The Flowers”. Also
include a plot diagram of “The Flowers”, using site #1 as a guide.
1. http://www.learner.org/exhibits/literature/read/plot2.html
2. http://theliterarylink.com/flowers.html
3. http://www.readwritethink.org/lesson_images/lesson401/ReadersGuidetoPlot.pdf
When you have completed this portion of the assignment, take a look at the following
websites of the short story authors we have been studying:
http://www.levity.com/corduroy/oates.htm (Joyce Carol Oates)
http://www.illyria.com/tobhp.html (Timothy O’Brien)
http://www.eapoe.org/ (Edgar Allan Poe)
Write a paragraph that compares the different approaches these authors have to the short
story. What is their individual style? What kinds of characters do they utilize? Do they
conform to the elements of plot you have just learned?
This assignment is due by the end of class.
Homework (Due by the next class period)
If time remains, you may start this assignment in class.
We have been reading short stories by many different authors, and learning about the
terms and elements involved in short story writing. Now it is your turn to write your own
short story.
Your story should show your understanding of plot development and character types.
Include a plot diagram of the story you have written. Also indicate the types of
characters you are using within this story. You are free to choose any topic and style that
you like. Although this is a rough draft, your story should be free of spelling and
grammatical errors. Your story should be a minimum of three pages, double spaced.
Having trouble? Try visiting the following website: tips from an author on how to not
tell the same old story.
http://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletter/html/sameold.html
Handout for Students:
Character Terms:
We learn about characters in two different ways:
Direct Presentation: the author tells us straight out, by exposition or analysis, or through
another character.
Indirect Presentation: the author shows us the character in action; the reader infers what a
character is like from what she/he thinks, says, or does.
Points of View:
First Person: the author identifies with a major or minor character, or disappears inside
the character. The story is told using the first person “I”.
Omniscient: the story is told by the author using the third person. The author may
describe the thoughts of any or all of the characters. If the author reveals the thoughts of
two or more characters, it is an omniscient point of view.
Limited Omniscient: the author associates with a major or minor character, and this
character serves as the author’s spokesperson. The author limits him or herself to the
thoughts of that character, and none of the others.
Objective: the opposite of omniscient, like a camera or fly on the wall, where events are
recorded without judgment or comment. The author does not show the feelings or
thoughts of any of the characters. The reader must judge these things him or herself.
Types of Characters:
Flat: we know one or two traits of a character.
Round: a complex and many sided character; we learn much about what he/she thinks,
feels, and wants.
Stock: a stereotyped, predictable character, like a wicked step-mother.
Unique: a character who is not predictable.
Static: a character which stays the same throughout the story, opinions and behavior do
not change.
Dynamic: a character that undergoes permanent change…they learn something from the
story and are different at the end.
Protagonist: the central character who a reader will usually identify with.
Antagonist: the character(s) working against the protagonist.
(The following would be included for a student who had missed class)
The woman in front of him was eating roasted peanuts that smelled so good that
he could barely contain his hunger. He could not even sleep and wished they’d hurry and
begin the bingo game. There, on his right, two fellows were drinking wine out of a bottle
wrapped in a paper bag, and he could hear soft gurgling in the dark. His stomach gave a
low, gnawing growl. “If this was down South,” he thought, “all I’d have to do is lean
over and say, ‘Lady, gimme a few of those peanuts, please ma’am,’ and she’d pass me
the bag and never think nothing of it.” Or he could ask the fellows for a drink in the
same way. Folks down South stuck together in that way; they didn’t even have to know
you. But up here it was different. Ask somebody for something, and they’d think you
were crazy. Well, I ain’t crazy. I’m just broke, ‘cause I got no birth certificate to get a
job, and Laura ‘bout to die ‘cause we got no money for a doctor. But I ain’t crazy.
Do you think this is a good way to introduce a character? Why?
From what point of view is this piece written in?
What kind of a character is this?
We have been learning about the elements of a short story. Characters lead a
story, they are the story, and in a short story, the author only has a few pages to describe
the characters. Learning about the methods we can use to help the reader get a better
picture of the character is essential to writing good short stories. There are many
different ways that we can learn about characters, and today we will cover the basics.
A. Direct Presentation/Indirect Presentation
B. Points of view:
1. First Person
2. Omniscient
3. Limited Omniscient
4. Objective
C. Types of Characters:
1. Flat
2. Round
3. Stock
4. Unique
5. Static
6. Dynamic
7. Protagonist
8. Antagonist
In-Class Assignment:
Now that we have learned about character development and elements of plot, your inclass assignment is to further your understanding of short stories. Follow the directions
below. Number one is a link to page that explains plot. After visiting this site, go to link
number two and read the short story by Alice Walker entitled “The Flowers”. Next,
peruse link number three, which further outlines plot elements in question form. On a
separate sheet of paper, answer these questions in relation to “The Flowers”. Also
include a plot diagram of “The Flowers”, using site #1 as a guide.
1. http://www.learner.org/exhibits/literature/read/plot2.html
2. http://theliterarylink.com/flowers.html
4. http://www.readwritethink.org/lesson_images/lesson401/ReadersGuidetoPlot.pdf
When you have completed this portion of the assignment, take a look at the following
websites of the short story authors we have been studying:
http://www.levity.com/corduroy/oates.htm (Joyce Carol Oates)
http://www.illyria.com/tobhp.html (Timothy O’Brien)
http://www.eapoe.org/ (Edgar Allan Poe)
Write a paragraph that compares the different approaches these authors have to the short
story. What is their individual style? What kinds of characters do they utilize? Do they
conform to the elements of plot you have just learned?
This assignment is due by the end of class.
Homework (Due by the next class period)
If time remains, you may start this assignment in class.
We have been reading short stories by many different authors, and learning about the
terms and elements involved in short story writing. Now it is your turn to write your own
short story.
Your story should show your understanding of plot development and character types.
Include a plot diagram of the story you have written. Also indicate the types of
characters you are using within this story. You are free to choose any topic and style that
you like. Although this is a rough draft, your story should be free of spelling and
grammatical errors. Your story should be a minimum of three pages, double spaced.
Having trouble? Try visiting the following website: tips from an author on how to not
tell the same old story.
http://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletter/html/sameold.html