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[pic] CHARACTERS’ MOTIVATION

A character’s motivation is the reason he or she takes a particular action. In creating believable characters, the writer must keep in mind the causes of their behavior, how the other characters are affected, and how this dynamic drives the story's plot.

Motivation may be internal, external, or a mix of both. Internal motivation includes such emotions as revenge, guilt, ambition, love, isolation, and greed. External motivation is sparked by physical conditions, events, or situations. External motivations tend to be universal. Internal motivations are what makes a character unique.

Rarely does an author spell out a character's motivation. The reader makes an inference, or an educated guess, about the character’s motivation based on what the character says and does and what the other characters say about him or her.

Directions: Read the passage and then answer the questions.

Ruben and his wife Joycelyn have a milestone wedding anniversary coming up, but they have never had enough money to celebrate like they wished to, nor have they been able to give each other anything more than small, inexpensive gifts. This year is different for Ruben. He wants to do something special, so he sells his beloved comic book collection to pay for violin lessons for Joycelyn who has a violin and has always wanted to learn how to play. What Ruben doesn't know is that Joycelyn has sold her violin to buy Ruben special storage cases for his prized comic books.

1. What is Ruben’s motivation for selling his comic book collection?

     

2. Is Ruben’s motivation internal or external or a mix of both? Explain your answer.

     

3. What inference can you make about Joycelyn’s motivation for selling her violin?

     

4. Is Joycelyn’s motivation internal or external or a mix of both? Explain your answer.

     

|Name:       |Date:       |

[pic] CHARACTERS’ MOTIVATION

A. Directions: On the line for each item below, write the letter of the answer that is mostly likely to be the character’s motivation for his or her actions.

1. ____ Paulo wanted to play baseball, so he decided to try out for his school’s team.

a. ambition b. jealousy c. revenge d. obligation

2. ____ Though the multi-colored pen didn’t belong to her, Janie quietly slipped in into the side pocket of her backpack.

a. fear b. kindness c. pride d. greed

3. ____ Once or twice a week, Sofia would bring a casserole or a pot of soup over to her elderly neighbor, and the two would talk and laugh while they ate together.

a. approval b. anger c. kindness d. obligation

B. Directions: Choose one of the situations from part A, and write a brief story about that character. Invent a backstory and include other characters, if needed. Describe the effect of that character's actions on the others. Give the story a beginning, a middle, and an end.

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