1 Character Composition
Concepts and Content Objectives
• Definitions and features of the Six Threads of Characterization: thoughts, physicality,
actions, speech, other characters, and family and origins
• Definition of a character trait
• Definition of character motivation
Skill Objectives
• Identify and develop the threads of characterization, motivations, and traits for at least two original characters
• Identify specific details to convey the threads of characterization
• Write a GUDE sentence (Good Grammar, Complete Understanding, Correct
Definition, and Excellent Examples)
• Analyze different choices for character details (the Six Threads), motivations, and traits and make a judgment about which choices work better
2 Creating Character Concepts and Content Objectives
• Definitions of virtue; flaw; key actions; protagonist; antagonist; stock or flat characters;
round, static, and dynamic characters; and heart-clutching moments
Skill Objectives
• Identify the difference between a virtue and a flaw, a protagonist and an antagonist, a
stock or flat character and a round character, and a static character and a dynamic character
• Determine the level of the stakes given a character’s motivation
• Express the relationship between motivation, traits, key actions, and consequences
• Design a character using the Six Threads of Characterization, a character trait, motivation, and key action
• Transform a flat character into a round character
• Experiment with the Six Threads, motivations, traits, and key actions to create a character who responds to a plot problem.
• Draft a scene or story with round characters whose traits and motivations are clear and lead to key actions
• Write a GUDE sentence (Good Grammar, Complete Understanding, Correct
3 Setting Concepts and Content Objectives • The Six Signposts of Setting:
o The city, state, country, or region (if applicable) and the location
o The geography/topography
o The time period in which the story is set, including the particular year
o The season (or whether it spans several seasons) and the weather
o The time of day (if a short story)
o The time span (Is it in an instant? Does it span a few hours? Does it cover several years?)
• The elements of the five senses as the basis for descriptive language and setting
• The definitions of the terms zeitgeist, anachronism, and mood as they relate to setting
Skill Objectives
• Create a scene for a story using the Six Signposts of Setting
• Analyze elements of plot, characterization, and setting as elements for cause-and-effect interdependencies
• Draw connections between setting and plot setting
• Identify the mood of a setting
• Establish mood through sensory detail and diction
4 Plot Concepts and Content Objectives
• The definitions of the terms plot, catalyst, foreshadowing, and cause and effect
• The five types of conflict:
o a character versus another character
o a character versus nature
o a character versus the supernatural
o a character versus society
o a character versus himself/herself
• The parts of a traditional plot diagram and definitions of each section: exposition,
risingaction, climax, falling action, and denouement/resolution
Skill Objectives
• Identify parts of a plot
• Trace cause and effect within literature
• Explain how foreshadowing works in literature
• Create a story line illustrating some of the five types of conflict with motivation-driven characters
• Write a GUDE sentence (Good Grammar, Complete Understanding, Correct
5 Point of View Concepts and Content Objectives
• The features of different types of point of view:
o First person
o Second person
o Third person objective
o Third person omniscient
o Third person close or limited
• Definitions of diction, syntax, and bias and how each connects to point of view
Skill Objectives
• Identify point of view in literary passages
• Write scenes in a predetermined point of view
• Change a story from one point of view to another and describe the differences
6 Midterm Exam Concepts and Content Objectives
• The expectations of the midterm exam
Skill Objectives
• Analyze literary passages using terms of characterization, setting, plot, and point of view
• Identify areas of writing strength
• Identify areas for improvement of writing
7 Revision of Plot and Setting
Concepts and Content Objectives
• The definition of revision, a complex, multi-step process
• The 10,000 hours theory of practice for excellence
• The definition of satisfying stories and endings
• Plot formulas such as the Check Mark Plot Structure or The Hero’s Journey model
• The elements of the Story Rubric to guide revision
Skill Objectives
• Map the plot of their story
• Identify whether the story’s plot is boring, unrealistic, or predictable
• Revise the plot based on changes to the setting and vice versa
• Revise the plot without altering character motivation
• Revise the plot while maintaining the story’s original ending
8 Revision of
Character and Point of View
Concepts and Content Objectives
• The definition of revision as “re-seeing,” or looking at a piece of writing in a new way, in order to make changes to it
• The understanding of revision as a complex, multi-step process
• The elements of the Story Rubric to guide revision
Skill Objectives
• Refine characters’ motivations and revise to make characters more complex
• Alter a story’s point of view, providing a different perspective on characters via new and/or rewritten scenes
9 Dialogue and Elements of Style
Concepts and Content Objectives
• The features of good dialogue, including conflict and character traits
• Dialogue’s features of tags
• Definitions of the elements of style:
o Diction (word choice)
o Rhythm
o Sentence structure o Sentence variety o Figurative language o Dialect
o Tone
• The differences between direct versus descriptive writing style
Skill Objectives
• Analyze one’s original piece of dialogue according to features of good dialogue
• Create a style profile describing the style of an artist/musician/chef/designer
• Analyze excerpts of writing to distinguish direct versus descriptive writing style
• Match appropriate diction to a character in order to describe style
• Revise elements of style such as figurative language or sentence structure
• Conduct a meta-cognitive “style inventory” to understand one’s own literary style
10 Editing and Publishing
Concepts and Content Objectives
• The definitions for concision and editing for wordiness, clarity, and diction
• Publications as potential venues for work
• The elements of an effective query letter
Skill Objectives
• Edit sentences by eliminating wordiness, increasing clarity, and identifying appropriate diction
• Identify publications that might want to publish work based on the readership and publication focus