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IWW Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: Details, details, details (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: Patricia Johnson
Posted on: November 11, 2001
Reposted on: December 7, 2003

Reposted, revised, on: May  20, 2007
Reposted, revised, on: December 7, 2008
Reposted on: January 5, 2014
Reposted on: May 12, 2019

---------------------

Exercise: In 400 words or less, write a scene in which you begin to develop a
character whom we would recognize
if we were to meet him or her.
______________

Behavior, mannerisms, speech, and dress can all be part of character development. 

A character who smells of stale smoke brings to mind a picture different from
that of a character carrying the smell of a hay field. A character on a limited income might
carefully count the change given by a cashier. The possibilities are endless.

Do not  tell us your character is proud or shy or demanding--show us.
___________

Exercise:
In 400 words or less, write a scene in which you begin to develop a
character whom we would recognize
if we were to meet him or her.
________________

Critiquing suggestions:

What was your impression of the character?  What clues given by the author led you
to form this impression?  Does this character interest you?  Would you be willing to
read on to see what happens to the character?


Web site created by Rhéal Nadeau and the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Gayle Surrette.