Understanding Character Motivation

Students will learn to identify and analyze the motivations of characters in a story. This skill is important for comprehension and understanding character development.

Understanding Character Motivation

Character motivation is a key element in understanding a story. It is what drives a character to act a certain way or make certain decisions. Motivation is usually a mix of external and internal factors, such as personal beliefs, past experiences, and relationships with others.
What is character motivation?

*What drives a character to act or make decisions;

Where a character lives;

What a character looks like

An author reveals a character's motivation through their thoughts, words, and actions. By examining these elements, readers can understand why a character behaves the way they do.
How can readers understand a character's motivation?

*By examining the character's thoughts, words, and actions;

By guessing what the character might be feeling;

By looking at the setting

It is important to note that a character's motivation can change over the course of a story. An event or interaction with another character may cause a character to reconsider their goals or values.
Can a character's motivation change throughout a story?

*Yes;

No;

Maybe

Having a clear understanding of character motivation can help readers empathize with the characters and make the story more meaningful. Remember, every decision a character makes should be rooted in their motivation.

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