“Show, don’t tell” is the time-honoured exhortation we use with KS2 children when we want them to describe characters in a narrative context. But of course, it is easier said than done.
The creation and description of a strong, determined main character is an excellent way of teaching and encouraging these techniques. This is because strength and determination are so readily shown in actions.
Great authors will also hint at a character’s anxieties and yearnings, because these make protagonists’ robust behaviours more impressive, as they ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’.
This resource pack will help you guide KS2 children through the process of analysing a scene of characterful drama from Eve Wersocki Morris’ gripping novel Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed. You’ll select techniques that they can employ to develop and describe a strong, determined character in a scene of their own.
This process will enhance any general study of this exciting, entertaining novel or simply increase enjoyment and appreciation of it as a class story.
You can of course use the extract in isolation, as a means for teaching some very useful authorial techniques (and potentially inspiring children to read the novel for themselves!).
Describing characters KS2 resources
This download contains:
- Extract from Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed by Eve Wersocki Morris
- ‘How writers can create a determined main character’ poster
- ‘Exploring writers’ techniques’ worksheet
- ‘Exploring writers’ techniques’ working wall display
- Potential character, location and object images
- Planning sheet
Tips for writing a determined main character
Give them something worth fighting for
When I create a new character, I make a character fact sheet. I draw a picture of them and scribble facts about them. For a determined character, it’s important to know what is important to them: A friend? A parent? A pet?
Give them a mission
Once you know what your character cares about, take it away! Give them an emotional drive that will keep them going throughout the adventure. It will make the character more likeable if love drives them, rather than selfishness.
Add energy
Use dramatic, energetic words to describe the character. For example, have them run rather than walk. Keep them moving forward in every scene.
Don’t make it too easy
The most determined characters are the ones who get knocked down and have to pick themselves back up. Think about mini-challenges the character can face along the way.
Get in their head
Once a determined main character makes a plan, they won’t be able to think about anything else. You can show this in dialogue with other characters, or by describing your main character’s own internal thoughts.
What is Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed about?
Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed is the first book in a new thrilling adventure series about Clem Fatale, the youngest gangster in the city, set in 1950s London.
Readers enter a fast and funny world of crooked criminals, glamorous nightclubs, secret alleyways and fantastic fry-up breakfasts.
This story begins in the dead of night, when Clem and her dad Jimmy, a notorious jewel thief and leader of the Spider Gang, are on a heist. They’re out to pinch the Fool’s Canary, a rare yellow diamond belonging to the snooty Lord Weatherdale.
But when Clem’s dad vanishes on the job, the Spider gang have to scram. Clem sets off into the London underworld to get her dad back and find out who double-crossed them.
Thank you to Lindsay Pickton for creating the resource pack. Browse more WAGOLL packs from real authors.
