Stepping Into a Character's Shoes

After reading a short story or novel, students will create a flip camera video focusing on the characterization and motivations of the characters. Students will work with a partner or small group of no more than three. Students will create an interview involving their assigned character. Working together, they will create at least ten strong questions to present to the character. Then, students will create a script of responses to the questions from the character's point of view. Students will have to "step into the shoes" of the character. Responses should show the character's thoughts and feelings, motivations, and personality traits. Students will use props to help them become their character. The teacher should encourage students to use similar slang, dialect, and mannerisms as their assigned character. Each student in the group will also contribute a project self-assessment piece at the end of the interview. Each student will reflect on their own contributions to the project, as well as explain how the project enhanced their own personal understanding of the character and the methods of indirect and direct characterization employed by authors. As a class, other students will view and evaluate each group's project. The reflection pieces are not viewed by the class, only by the teacher.