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Lesson Plans > Language Arts & Literature > Grades 9 - 12 > Dear Abby: A Direct and Indirect Characterization Lesson Plan
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Dear Abby: A Direct and Indirect Characterization Lesson Plan

Identify and create examples of characterization based on comprehension

 

Grade Level: 9-12

Concept: Identify and create examples of characterization based on comprehension

Estimated Duration: 50 minutes
 
Objectives
Students will be able to:
  • identify direct and indirect characterization
  •  use conflict in a plot to generate writing
  • communicate using precise language (adjectives and verbs)
  • write responses to literature
Materials
Copy of a short story with a human vs. human conflict
 
Differentiated Strategies
These strategies are used to meet the varied needs of all learners:
  • for various grade levelsVarying academic levels: uses peer responses to various levels of writing within the class
  • for visual learnersVisual learners: incorporates brainstorming and diagramming of ideas
  • for auditory learnersAuditory learners: encourages class discussion and small-group discussion for assessment
  • for kinesthetic learnersKinesthetic learners: encourages students to move around the room, creating groups for sharing of assessments
Key Vocabulary
direct
indirect
characterization
adjectives
verbs
 
Procedures
 
Warm Up
  • Ask a student to briefly review the plot of Cinderella to the class. Tell the rest of the class to focus on what is stated about the step-mother and step-sisters.
  • for auditory learners Ask students to raise their hands and describe these two characters – using adjectives to tell what they are like and verbs to show what they do.
  • for visual learners Have a student volunteer to write students’ responses on the board.
Direct Instruction
  • for auditory learners Explain to students that what they have brainstormed is called Direct and Indirect Characterization. When an author uses adjectives to tell what a character is like, it is called Direct Characterization. When an author uses verbs to show what a character does, it is called Indirect Characterization.
  • for visual learners Ask students to help create a diagram on the board by labeling the brainstorming list as Direct and Indirect Characterization. Ask a different student to volunteer to take direction from the class as to where each term goes. The teacher acts as the monitor/facilitator, keeping students on track and prompting with guiding questions when necessary.
Practice
  • for auditory learners for visual learners Choose a short story for the class to read together that contains a man vs. man conflict.
  • After completing the story, inform students that they are to assume the persona of one of the main characters and write a Dear Abby letter about the problems they are having with the other character. However, the letter may only include Indirect Characterization in it.  Students must use verbs to show what the other character is doing to create problems.  As in a typical Dear Abby letter, the writing will ultimately ask for advice.
Assessment
  • for various grade levels Collect the letters and strategically re-distribute them by ability level.
  • for visual learners Once students have received another student’s letter, they are to assume the persona of Abby and respond to the first letter. Students are to begin by using Direct Characterization only.  For example, “It seems as if your neighbor is self-centered, rude, and angry.” As Abby would do, the letter should offer advice.
  • for kinesthetic learners for auditory learners After letters are complete, ask students to move into groups of 3-4 to share their letters. Students should peer-assess that Direct and Indirect Characterization has been used correctly.
Closure
  • Inform students that using a mixture of Direct and Indirect Characterization adds interest to a plot. Ask student if they have heard the adage “Actions speak louder than words.”
  • Applied learning: Ask students to become a critic the next time they watch a movie, paying close attention to which characters are described through Direct Characterization and which are described through Indirect Characterization. Determine which type of description makes the plot most enjoyable.
Comments (1)
Julie wrote at Feb 5, 2008 8:44 am:
This is exactly the lesson I'm teaching. Thank you for the extra details I was missing.
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