ALEX Learning Activity

Students will look at stock images of different people as an introduction to developing interesting characters in a piece of narrative fiction writing. The students will brainstorm to establish character traits and backgrounds that are interesting and then write a short character summary.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Students will be able to introduce a character in a piece of narrative fiction writing.

Ask the students to think of a favorite character from a book, TV show, or movie. As the students name each one, ask them to consider why the characters are so memorable.  Make a list of the traits as students list them -- they might come up with things like brave, funny, etc.  Tell the students these are the same traits that they should try to include in their writing.

Show the slide with the stock images of different people. The students will pick one that they might see as a character in a story. They should first name the character and then come up with a list of character traits. Students can also add biographical details to the list (job, family, etc.). After making the list, students should draft a brief character summary.

The teacher can do an example as a model for the students. Also, you can choose a few students to share their ideas aloud with the class for more examples.

The teacher can evaluate the students' written work. The teacher should check to see if the character introduction includes descriptive details and character traits.

The teacher will need to be able to display the slide to the class. Students can write/draft on loose paper or in a writing journal.

• If students finish early, they can complete another character summary.
• Students can also extend the use of their character summaries by writing a piece of narrative fiction and including the character.  
• Students could compare/contrast their characters with other students, especially those who chose the same stock image.