STUDENT LESSON SUMMARY COPYMASTER Character Motivation 0 2 ACADEMIC VOCABULARY [motivation: the reason a character acts, feels, and thinks in a certain way HERE'S HOW Step 1: Find any stated reasons. To find the reasons, or motives, for a character's actions, ask yourself: Does this passage clearly spell out why the character behaves in a certain way? If the answer is yes, you've found the character's motivation. Step 2: Look for clues in story details. To find the implied reasons behind each character's actions, look for clues such as the following: + Background, Consider the character's age, description, home, etc. ‘© Speech, Thoughts, and Actions. Notice any actions the character takes; any dialogue the character speaks; or any thoughts the character has. Look for revealing expressions and gestures. Finally, notice adjectives and adverbs that describe the character's behavior. Zeumera = Key Events. Look for incidents in which characters interact. What motivates them in these decisive moments? Step 3: Consider human nature. Combine story clues with your own knowledge of human behavior-such things as common human emotions. Step 4: Infer the motives. Ask yourself, Why might this character behave this way? Then, combine all the information to get a logical answer, EXAMPLE: CHARACTER MOTIVATION - Until a month ago, Eva and Aaron Background: Aaron and Eva were once & | had been inseparable. But now all Aaron close. ‘could do was to gaze longingly at Eva's | Speech: Aaron seems jealous of Sam. 8 exquisite profile as she strolled arm in arm with Sam. “What does she see in that guy?” Aaron muttered none too confidently. So when Aaron saw that Eva | had left a note on Sam’s dorm-room door saying, “Meet me at 8:00 p.m.,” Aaron surreptitiously removed it. ‘Standards Lesson Files Human Nature: No one likes to be dumped for someone else. ‘Action: The phrase gaze longingly suggests that Aaron stil ikes Eva. Human Nature: People often still have feelings for a romantic partner even after they have broken up. Key Event: Aaron removes Eva's note to ‘Sam. Motivation: He wants to make Eva angry with Sdm. Book 1: Literature Grade 3 15Name - Date uusson | PRACTICE WORKSHEET A COPYMaSTER > 2 | Character Motivation Directions: Read each boxed passage. Circle the best description of the character's motivation, Then, explain why that motivation fits. The new student carefully observes the outfits that the popular girls are ‘wearing, She goes to the mall every weekend to purchase clothes just like the ones they wear. a) My resoping What is the student's motivation for buying these clothes? a. to gain prestige by proving she is wealthier than her classmates b. to be accepted by the popular girls e. to become a model A candidate for mayor knows the town wants a recreation center. She promises to build one even though she knows the town doesn’t have the money. a Myron EE ‘What is the politician’s motivation for making this promise’ a. to run a budget deficit . b. to have a recreation center . to win potential voters | Every week Mari vs is grandmother inthe nursing ome. He makes sure she has no bedsores and lovingly examines her swollen feet. As he is leaving, he | remarks to the nurse on duty, "Grandma needs more regular attention.” — What is Mario’s motivation for checking on his grandmother? a, to make sure his grandmother is well taken care of b. to criticize the nurses ¢. to lear about common ailments among the elderly Standards Lesson Files Book 1: Literature 17 Grade 9Name Date i Lesson PRACTICE WORKSHEET B COPYMASTER 2 Character Motivation Directions: Read the boxed Background Information and the boxed passage from the story “Home.” For the questions that follow, circle the Best answer. Then explain your reasoning. Background Information: In “Home” by Gwendolyn Brooks, a struggling ‘working family faces the possibility of eviction from the house they have lived in and loved for fourteen years. Mama and her daughters, Helen and Maud Martha, are discussing the awful prospect of moving if the family cannot get a loan, “We'll be moving into a nice flat somewhere,” said Mama. “Somewhere on South Park, or Michigan, or in Washington Park Court.” These flats, asthe girls and Mama knew well, were burdens on wages twice the size of Papa's, This was not mentioned now. “They're much prettier than this old house,” said Helen. “I have friends Td just as soon not bring down here. And I have other friends that wouldn't come down this far for anything unless they were in a taxi." —Gwendolyn Brooks, “Home” Yaw 11. In this passage, are the speakers” motivations stated or implied? | 2, What do you know about the characters’ situation? List specific details fom the passage or.from this page. 3 3. Circle the leter ofthe statement that best reflects Mama and Helen's motivation for saying what they do. ‘9. Mama talks about moving to a “nice flat” and Helen puts down their home because they both desperately want to leave the place and upgrade to a fancier neighborhood, b. Mama tells a “white lie” about where the family might move and Helen criticizes the house's looks and location because they both fear losing their home and want to cushion the blow for each other. Coowight © MeDougalLitteluHoughion Mitin Company 18 Book , Literature Standards Lesson Files rade 8Name e 2 Copyright ® MeDouga LitelvHoushton Nittin Company, Date Lesson RETEACHING WORKSHEET COPYMASTER Character Motivation Review: A character's motivation is the reason that he or she acts, feels, and thinks in a certain way. The author may state the character's motivation, or the author may imply (hint at) it. You can figure outa character's motivation by noticing what the character does, says, or thinks; by observing how the character interacts with other characters; and by considering what you know about human nature, Directions: Read the boxed item below. Underline clues in the text that reveal something about the character or situation. Then, using the clues, give a reason for the character's “: behavior. An example is provided below. example From the bench on the sidelines, Yvonne looks on enviously as Muriel makes fe catch after catch on the lacrosse field. After practice, Yvonne secretly tightens the strings of Muriel’s stick to make it harder for her to cradle the ball. “That F will slow her down,” she thinks. a 3 Reason: The underlined clues reveal that Yvonne is not playing; that she wants to play; and that she wants to hurt Muriel’s performance. She wants Muriel to uo badly so she can take her place The eager, young executive volunteers for every assignment, works long hours, and always laughs at the boss's jokes. In his desk drawer he has a copy of the corporate chain of command with future dates penciled in next to various positions Ei Tbs undefined, ches reveal hats cesses esses ceeeteeeeees reeset ee ‘Whol isle yours man's morWation) eee ‘Standards Lesson Files Book I: Literature 19 Grade § :