Characterization Lesson

Characterization & the Worst Birthday excerpt

Lesson + Activity

​Character Types Review

​Make sure you pay attention & take good notes.

Multiple Choice

This character is the main character.

• Antagonist

• Protagonist

• Villain

• Love interest

Multiple Choice

This character always goes against the protagonist.

• Villain

• Antagonist

• Flat character

• Sidekick

Fill in the Blank

Dynamic characters ______ as a result of the story events.

Multiple Choice

This character has several, often contradictory traits, and seems very realistic.

• Square Character

• Flat Character

• Circle Character

• Round Character

Multiple Choice

This character is generally unimportant.

• Protagonist

• Minor Character

• Flat Character

• Antagonist

Open Ended

What is a stock character?

Fill in the Blank

Essential to the story...

Fill in the Blank

Move the plot along but aren't who the story is about...

Fill in the Blank

_______________ is when the narrator tells you what you need to know about a character.

Fill in the Blank

___________ Characterization tells you about the character.

Fill in the Blank

___________ characterization shows you details about a character which demonstrate character traits.

​Today you are reading an excerpt from JK Rowling's novel Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets.

​This is the second book in the Harry Potter series.

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​Before reading, watch the clip which is the scene based on this same excerpt. However, as with all things film vs. writing... they are not exactly the same.

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​After the clip, go to Canvas. The pdf is in Canvas, download it. Read it. Then move on to your questions based on the reading.

Multiple Choice

What is the central idea of the passage?

• Harry feels alone because his family fears his powers, and he can’t be around his friends where he feels comfortable expressing himself.

• Harry completes chores for Petunia because he believes that being obedient is important to supporting a strong and united family.

• Harry behaves and decides not to cast any spells because he cannot use magic outside of school and he is afraid the Dursleys will find out about his magical powers.

• Harry argues with Uncle Vernon because he believes his uncle's hatred of people who are different is unfair, and he wants his uncle to treat all people fairly.

Multiple Choice

What evidence from the text best supports the central idea from the text?

• “Harry tried to argue back but his words were drowned by a long, loud belch from the Dursleys’ son, Dudley.” (Paragraph 6)

• “Ever since Harry had come home for the summer holidays, Uncle Vernon had been treating him like a bomb that might go off at any moment, because Harry Potter wasn’t a normal boy.” (Paragraph 23)

• “Aunt Petunia knew he hadn’t really done magic, but he still had to duck as she aimed a heavy blow at his head with the soapy frying pan.” (Paragraph 80)

• “While Dudley lolled around watching and eating ice cream, Harry cleaned the windows, washed the car, mowed the lawn, trimmed the flowerbeds, pruned and watered the roses, and repainted the garden bench.” (Paragraph 81)

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best defines what Uncle Vernon means when he says "abnormality" in Paragraph 19?

• Harry's evil nature

• Harry's special powers

• Harry's different appearance from the Dursleys

• Harry's teasing attitude

Multiple Choice

Which quote best supports the fact that Harry has that difference?

• “‘HOW DARE YOU THREATEN DUDLEY!’ roared Uncle Vernon, pounding the table with his fist.” (Paragraph 17)

• “Uncle Vernon sat back down…watching Harry closely out of the corners of his small, sharp eyes.” (Paragraph 22)

• “Uncle Vernon had been treating him like a bomb that might go off at any moment” (Paragraph 23)

• “As a matter of fact, he was as not normal as it is possible to be. Harry Potter was a wizard.” (Paragraphs 23-24)

Multiple Choice

How does Harry’s repetition of the phrase “I’ll be in my bedroom, making no noise and pretending I’m not there” impact the tone of the passage?

• It shows how much Harry loves sitting in his room all by himself so he can practice magic.

• It shows how much the Dursleys love Harry and respect his privacy.

• It highlights the contrast between Harry’s love for quiet time and Dudley’s hatred of it.

• It highlights the contrast between the Dursley’s excitement for the dinner and Harry’s loneliness.

Open Ended

The Dursleys treat Harry very cruelly in regards to his magic. How does fear drive their actions? How does fear control us, and why might it be hard to be tolerant of others when afraid?

Open Ended

Harry must hide his magical powers from the Dursleys. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to hide something about yourself? Is it better to hide your true self around people who may not accept you or is it better to feel comfortable to be yourself?

​Don't Forget

​Screenshot your results page & turn that in to Canvas once you finish.

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