Last week, we met a character named Derek who learned an important lesson about enemies and friends. Today, we're going to meet another character who learns an important lesson about friendship. And, like Derek, he has people in his life who help him along the way. Don't we all have people in our lives who help us learn things? The most important people to you might be your family and friends, and they play a major role in your life. Other folks, like people who live in your neighborhood, may play a minor role in your life.
Today as readers, we will learn the difference between major and minor characters. This is important to notice as we read, because it helps us track a character's actions and interactions with others throughout a longer text.
Today as readers, we will learn the difference between major and minor characters. This is important to notice as we read, because it helps us track a character's actions and interactions with others throughout a longer text.
Major characters are those who are central to the main plot and story conflicts. Most of the dialogue and inner thinking happens with the main character.
Minor characters are there to support the major characters but have less influence on the story. When I'm reading I want to ask myself: "Who is the main character?" "Why is he or she the main character?" "Who are minor characters?" "Why are they minor characters?" |
Listen to the story Those Shoes, by Maribeth Boelts, and identify one major character, Jeremy, and the clues that led me to realize he is a major character.
Jeremy is the main character. He dreams of having a pair of black high-tops with two white stripes. He wants "those shoes". He is the character telling the story. When I look at the pictures, Jeremy is the main figure on each page.
Now, listen as I identify a minor character, Mr. Alfrey. He is the guidance counselor who gave Jeremy shoes with the Velcro after his broke. His actions help Jeremy, but if he wasn't in the story, the story would continue on and we would still understand Jeremy's struggle to get "those shoes".
Turn and talk about one major or minor character that you have read about. Do any of these characters feel like mirrors to you? Why?
As you read, notice the major and minor characters in your story. Add to your Major or Minor Character Sheet, and look for evidence of why the characters are major or minor. Remember, major characters are those who are central to the main plot and story conflicts. Most of the dialogue and inner thinking happens with the main character. Minor characters are there to support the major characters but have less influence on the story.