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What's My Motivation?
Character Wants Open Storytelling Windows
Dorothy wanted to get home, and Alice wanted to see how deep the rabbit hole went; as far as motivation goes they're polar opposites, but both form the engine that drives the plot from the beginning to the end. Knowing what character's desire—especially main characters—reveals a lot about the type of story you're reading.
1. Divide students into pairs.
2. Give each pair a book.
3. Ask them to review it and to determine the main character.
4. Invite students to figure out what the main characters want.
5. Have the pair make a chart with "character" and "want" columns.
6. Write the character and their want beneath the appropriate column.
7. Exchange books every two minutes.
8. Sharing Strategy: Back Fence.
