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Exploring Characters in Text

Part of the enjoyment of reading and viewing texts is engaging with the characters.  We relate their experiences to our own.  We consider how we might act in similar situations.  We compare the characters to people we know.  We might even learn valuable lessons about life based on the experiences of the characters.

In order to be able to engage with a character, however, that character must be plausible, or believable. The audience needs to believe that at that moment in time, in that place, a real person would act in this way. In addition, in order for a character’s actions to be plausible, those actions also have to be consistent with the character’s values, motivations, and previous actions.

This next assignment will give you an opportunity to explore a character in your novel. Understanding the reasons behind a character’s behaviours will not only help you when it comes to writing about the text later on, but it may also give you some insight into yourself or others.