Characterization in the Most Dangerous Game

Characterization in The Most Dangerous Game

Objective: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3 – Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

​​Today, we will analyze the characters of The Most Dangerous Game by identifying their traits and supporting our ideas with evidence from the text. By the end of the lesson, we will be able to create a character trait chart for both the protagonist and antagonist, using words that describe who they are and how they change throughout the story.

Academic Language:

• Characterization: The way an author reveals a character’s personality, traits, and motivations in the story.

• Direct Characterization: "He was a clever fellow, always one step ahead of his peers."

• Indirect Characterization: Checkmate again. It was as if he knew what his opponents were thinking. Somehow, he was always one step ahead. Every time.

Multiple Choice

What is characterization?

• Characterization refers to the author's writing style.
• Characterization is the representation of a character's traits and qualities in literature.
• Characterization is the process of editing a manuscript.
• Characterization is the analysis of a plot's structure.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following shows direct characterization?

• She picked up the pen and immediately knew what she wanted to write

• without thinking he threw the ball over the fence

• "I wish I knew how to be smart like Jasmin."

• She was too intelligent, so she allowed the others to speak first before she proved them all wrong.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following examples shows indirect characterization?

• Sasha said she did not want to go to the dance. Her mother wasn't sure why.

• They gave Stacy the award. Stacy accepted it and then went home.

• Evelyn went to the homeless shelter to drop off more clothes. She makes sure to stop by at least once a month.

• My favorite place to eat at is Mcdonalds because my family likes to go there sometimes.

The connotation of a word is often either positive or negative

Positive

    We bought inexpensive souvenirs at the amusement park.

Negative

 

    We bought     cheap souvenirs   at the amusement park.

Which word has a positive connotation and which has a negative one?

Everyone had a smirk on his/her face on the ride home. Negative

Everyone had a smile on his/her face on the way home. Positive

Multiple Choice

Which option has the most POSITIVE (+) connotation?

My friend is very careful about spending money. I admire that, so I call him ______________.

• thrifty

• stingy

• miserly

• selfish

Multiple Choice

Which of the following has a NEGATIVE (–) connotation?

• A pushy leader

• A charismatic leader

Multiple Choice

Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Hint: Determine the connotation (positive or negative) through context clues.

Although the problem was difficult to resolve, Sandra and John were ________________ in searching for an answer. Their teacher was quite proud.

• persistent

• stubborn

• bullheaded

• headstrong

Multiple Choice

Which word has the more positive connotation?

• laid-back
• lazy 

Multiple Choice

What is TEXTUAL EVIDENCE?

• Textual evidence is the overall theme of a literary work.
• Textual evidence is specific examples or quotations from a text that support an argument or analysis.
• Textual evidence refers to the author's biography and background.
• Textual evidence is a summary of the main ideas in a text.

Open Ended

What is ONE main trait of either General Zaroff that leads to the ending of the Most Dangerous Game?

Example: General Zaroff is ________ this leads him to underestimate Rainsford.

Open Ended

What is ONE main trait of Rainsford that leads to the ending of the Most Dangerous Game?

Example: Rainsford is ________ this leads him to successfully defeat General Zaroff.

​Today's Activities:

Point out your shoulder partner:
Your first task will be to find 6 COMPLEX character traits (3 positive and 3 negative) for both Rainsford and General Zaroff.

You will utilize the Graphic Organizer that I give you to work together.
Then, you will pick ONE main trait for each character.

Find textual evidence for your main trait to complete your graphic organizer. You will have 25 minutes to work on this chart, so stay focused.
When you finish: Help the other people in your group to finish.

​Today's Activities:

When the timer runs out, I will give you a Group Discussion Handout and assign each member of your group some role cards.
You will fill out the questions in the Group Discussion Sheet by Discussing each question on the handout and writing down group responses.

Roles:
Navigator: Create a visual map of participation (staple it to their discussion sheet)
Host/Moderator: Asks each Group member the question, ensure everyone answers.
Scribe: Uses the whiteboard to note down everyone's answer, so group members can write it onto their paper.
Word Wizard: Brings everyone's attention back to focus. Ensures everyone is focused. Assists group members that have trouble answering questions (rephrases questions to make them easier).
Time Keeper: Watches clock to make sure Group is aware of time. Puts away supplies and turns in group assignments (on time!)

​When the Timer Runs out...

All Groups will be asked to stop and complete the Exit Ticket via Quizziz.
Groups done on time with insightful answers will participate in a full class discussion, sharing their answers. This participation will ensure Group Points.
Ms. Vences will be monitoring pair and group work. Groups on task having respectful academic conversations will receive points.
off-task conversations, out of seat, and quiet groups that refuse to collaborate will be subtracted points by -5. Blank assignment, disrespectful behavior towards peers = detention