English First Additional Language - Term 3 - Week 2

Character development is the process by which an author creates a believable and complex character. This can be achieved through various techniques such as dialogue, actions, and internal thoughts. For instance, a character's dialogue can reveal their personality, motivations, and relationships with others. Additionally, the choices a character makes in the story can illustrate their growth or decline, providing depth to their role in the narrative.

Consider the character of Ponyboy Curtis from 'The Outsiders.' Throughout the novel, Ponyboy's internal monologues reveal his struggles with identity and belonging. His interactions with other characters, such as Johnny and Dally, showcase his growth from a naive teenager to a more mature individual who understands the complexities of life. By examining specific passages, we can see how S.E. Hinton uses Ponyboy's experiences to develop his character.

In pairs, choose a character from a text we have studied this term. Discuss how the author develops this character through dialogue, actions, and thoughts. Create a character map that includes key quotes and examples from the text that illustrate your points. Be prepared to share your findings with the class, focusing on how these elements contribute to the overall narrative.

Write a short essay analyzing the development of a character from a novel or short story of your choice. Your essay should include an introduction, body paragraphs discussing specific techniques used by the author, and a conclusion summarizing the character's journey. Be sure to support your analysis with direct quotes and examples from the text.

• Through the setting
• Through character dialogue
• Through the plot twist
• Through the chapter titles

Answer: Through character dialogue

Dialogue reveals a character's personality and relationships, making it a key tool for development.

• Internal thoughts
• Character actions
• Narrative structure
• Dialogue

Answer: Narrative structure

While narrative structure is important for storytelling, it does not directly develop characters.

Answer: A character's actions can show their values, motivations, and growth throughout the story, illustrating their journey and changes.

Actions provide insight into a character's personality and can lead to significant changes in their development.

• Plot points
• Character relationships
• Setting descriptions
• Theme analysis

Answer: Character relationships

A character map visually represents a character's relationships and development throughout the story.

Answer: Dialogue reveals a character's thoughts, feelings, and relationships, helping to shape their identity and growth.

Through dialogue, readers gain insight into a character's motivations and personality.

• Dally
• Johnny
• Ponyboy
• Two-Bit

Answer: Ponyboy

Ponyboy's journey from innocence to understanding is central to the novel's themes.