22 Let's Talk: First or Third?

We spent time this past week learning about first person and third person narration.

If you recall, when the protagonist tells the story, that is called first person narration. As a reader, we get to know all the thoughts and feelings of the protagonist. But, since the protagonist, in most cases, can not read minds, what we know about all the other characters is limited to what the protagonist can see and hear.

When the author tells the story we call that third person narration. As readers we get know the thoughts and feelings of all the major characters.



Discussion Points:
a. Using the book you are currently reading independently, please begin by identifying the type of narration used. If it is a combination of both, let us know (I'm thinking of you Maximum Ride readers!).
b. Next, copy a quote from your book that proves you identified the type of narration correctly. Include the page number with your quote.
c. Finally, rewrite the quote using the unused type of narration.
d. For an extra challenge, try describing one way the type of narration has had an effect on the way you, as a reader, have come to know one of the characters.

Let's talk!

(Tip: Use the example comment to guide your comment)

21 Challenge! How Many Differences Can We Identify?

You have read the book. You have seen the movie.

Now it is time to talk. Let's focus our discussion to two topics.

The first is a challenge.


Discussion Points:
a. How many differences between the book and movie can we list? The challenge is to reach twenty-five. Go.
b. Which version did you enjoy more? Why? Give as many reasons as you can. Share what you rate the book and the movie.

Let's talk!

20 Let's Talk: Character Traits

Characters have traits just like real people. Characters can be tall, short, thin, fat, beautiful or ugly. They may have freckles or glasses or acne or brown hair or blue eyes. They can also be athletic, funny, depressing, artistic, outgoing, shy, intelligent, courageous, musical or mean. There is an endless number of traits a character may have.

Throughout a story, you, the reader, get to know a character by learning about their traits. Good readers often know when an author is explaining a character's trait. Great readers always know. The more you read, the better you will become at learning all the traits of a character.

Why is that important? Because the better you know the characters in the stories you read, the more strongly you will feel about them. You will love them more. Or hate them more. You will relate to them on a more personal level. Or know why you can't relate. You will cheer for them in good times. You will cry for them in sad times.

Bottom line: the better you know your characters, the more emotional investment you make in the stories you read. And more emotional investment means a more intense, enjoyable, meaningful reading experience. Books are better when you know your characters well!

For this post, your comment will include a quote. A quote is a piece of your story, word for word, that you use to prove your point. When you write a quote you must put quotation marks around the entire piece of text that you have copied from the story. It will look like this:

     "This is George Beard and Harold Hutchins. George is the kid on the left with the tie and the flat-top. Harold is the one on the right with the T-shirt and the bad haircut. Remember that now.
     If you were looking for a few words to describe George and Harold, you might come up with kind, funny, smart, determined, and deep.
     Just ask their principal, Mr. Krupp. He'll tell you that George and Harold are KINDa FUNNY-lookin' SMART alecks who are DETERMINED to drive everybody off the DEEP end."


Discussion Points:
a. In the book you are currently reading, please find ONE quote that clearly shows the author describing one of a character's traits. Copy that quote into your comment. Remember to use quotation marks.
b. Then explain, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, which character trait the quote you used describes. Share with us what you learned about your character by reading that quote.

Let's Talk!


Hints:
1. You may choose any character, but it will probably be easiest for you if you choose the protagonist (can you guess why?).
2. Look through the beginning of the story. That is where you will most often find descriptions of the protagonist and others.
3. Include the quote's page number.
4. Put an empty line between the quote and your own words.
5. To get a better sense of the kind of quote I'm asking you to find and write about, reread the example quote I provided in the post AND read the example comment before beginning.