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IWW Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise:
Characterization (v. 3)

These exercises were written by IWW members and administrators to provide structured practice opportunities for its members. You are welcome to use them for practice as well. Please mention that you found them at the Internet Writers Workshop (http://www.internetwritingwor kshop.org/).

Prepared by: Florence Cardinal
Posted on: Sun, 11 Feb 2001
Reposted on: Sun, 8 Dec 2002
Reposted, revised, on: Sun, 9 Apr 2006
Reposted, revised, on: Sun, 4 May 2008

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Exercise:  In 300 words or less, describe one of your characters so we can see him or her. We don't want things like "he had red hair," or "he was a tall man." Don't tell us she's beautiful or ugly. Make us see "red" and "tall," "beautiful" or "ugly."

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Think about the character's place in the world, his or her goals, whatever will let us see an individual, full of life. Use whatever you need--description, satire, exaggeration. Dialogue's fine, too. Think of "show, don't tell." Don't try to tell a whole story; simply create a character. Use any other characters you may need to show us your creation. If a story begins in the process, that's fine, but it's not necessary.

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Exercise:  In 300 words or less, describe one of your characters so we can see him or her. We don't want things like "he had red hair," or "he was a tall man." Don't tell us she's beautiful or ugly. Make us see "red" and "tall," "beautiful" or "ugly."

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In your critiques, let the author know whether the character portrayed stands out as a unique individual. If something strikes you as particularly effective, note that. Would you like to hear more about this character's doings? Note any "telling" you discover.










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