Writing With Character
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Characters are people or creatures that are part of our poems and stories. They can be real or imagined, they include heroes and villains, they might be funny or serious. As the great Shakespeare once said, "All the world is a stage."
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Step 1: Identify a Character
Ask students to identify one of their favorite characters, from a book, a movie, or even one from their own imagination.
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Step 2: Talk Like a Character
Now encourage students to write down anything and everything their character might say, do, think, or feel. You might suggest students go somewhere and begin talking in the voice of their character.
For example, here are some things an irate pirate might say: |
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Step 3: Put Lines Together
Now instruct students to start putting lines together in an order that makes sense and creates a monologue. Remind kids that good characters have many sides to them. Listen to the poem below, and notice how the Irate Pirate is angry, sad, and confused.
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Click below to listen to The Irate Pirate.
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The Irate Pirate
Aye! I’m the Irate Pirate
I shout all day: “Shiver me timbers. Get out of me way!” I’ll knock yer block off. I’ll run you through! Have you walk the plank. And make shark bait out of you. Many a landlubber wants to know why I’m irate and angry all the time. Many there be that sail up to me Asks me to tell ‘em why I’m so mean. Then I look out to sea With me one good eye, Take a long, deep breath And heave a salty sigh. What’s the use complainin’. You can’t understand. I got a peg for a leg And a hook for a hand. I wear a patch on one eye So I can barely see land. But I’ll sail on in spite of the pain, Chasin’ all the ruches in Spain. Fightin’, screamin’ and rasin’ Cain. ‘Cause I’m the Irate Pirate. II shout all day: “Shiver me timbers. Get out of me way! |
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Read the next lesson- Edit Your Poem