Homework

Developing your character

Student

University

Class

Date

1. Write ten 'factual' statements about your character, then ten lies, then ten-odd/bizarre statements. 

The 'lies' work as a stepping-stone to finding the odd habits that make your character unique.

Truths: He is short He spends my weekends visiting friends  He does read a lot  He works as a doctor He gets angry very fast when pissed off  He is poor at concentrating for a long time  His friends refer to me as dad's boy  He has never taken liquor  He hates cigarette smokers He is not too fond of pets

Lies: He doesn’t pray He a Muslim

He a poor cook He doesn’t watch movies He has never known my middle name His mum is very young At one time, he was taken to a rehab He speaks more than four languages He only listens to one type of music He watches cricket

Bizarre: He makes lots of noise at night He owns an expensive car more than Bill Gates He can eat a raw chicken He one beats me in a marathon His two-year brother can speak fluently In high school, he was expelled ten times He passed exams but never attended class At home, he commands everyone, including my dad He can sing like a parrot.

2. Write a back-story - very important

He comes from California. Background: He is a man He is from a middle-class status in society He has three sisters His parents re divorced His neighbors are Christians He has been a healthy kid all through He is pursuing a bachelors degree at the moment He possesses good leadership skills

Present circumstances: 25 years of age Single is status He does not have a child He is of the male gender Politics is not his cup of tea He is always smartly dressed when in public He like traveling He is not too fond of heights He gets angry when I fail to meet my objectives He dislikes lazy people He admires successful people

3. Give your character a few contradictory traits.

It is impossible for a human being to be hard working all through their lives. At some point, people lazy around.

You cannot appear to be mature all through your lifestyle.

He likes reading but fails to look in newspapers.

Aspires to excel but hangs around with lazy guys when you want to be a millionaire act like one.

4. If your character were an animal, which one would s/he be, and why?

If he were to be an animal, he would have been a Jaguar. He sets targets and moves to achieve them. Like the animal which is confused about a leopard because of spots, he hangs around with laypeople but very hard working.

5. In which ways would your character behave differently when interacting with -

He frowns when meeting his mother. His go-getter attitude makes him fond of his boss at work. With friends, he plays the cool guy so that they do not disturb him. He likes his neighbors and plays with them during his free time.  He acts the gentleman character when with his lover.

6. Write a short scene or a poem in your character's voice. Create a situation for your name: He gets into this interview room without preparing. He accidentally applied for this position without adequately reading the job requirements for the post. As soon as he sits down casually, he realizes he is in the wrong place. A light sweat runs in his armpits because he is not sure of what to say on the questions that will be asked. He remembers he has always acted like a Jaguar. He concentrates and murmurs a prayer. From nowhere, he answers the questions confidently to his amusement to emerge the best candidate.