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What's in a name?

9/5/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
You all made some great changes to the Little Red Riding Hood story last week. From character to setting, the ideas were fresh and new and gave a "predictable" story a twist that kept it interesting for me, the reader. (Told you. You can write better than you thought.)

What struck me most about your versions of the story were the names you chose for your characters. There was the typical Red Riding Hood, and not-so-typical Little Blue Hoodie, a Wolf, and then some kind of grandparent.
But...
None of the grandparents had the same name. After two stacks of papers I began thinking about names and how the names we choose for our characters help describe the character for our reader - sometimes in a way more specific than "curly hair," or "polished shoes."

So, here's the idea to play with in your notebooks this week:
Below is a list of names we assign to grandmothers. Take a moment and write both a physical and internal description of each.
Ex: clothing, hair, objects the person carries (physical)
      attitude, way of speaking, gestures, values, who or what they love      (internal)

Take the time to think of each one; have fun with it. Notice how they are different, but how they are alike, too. You never know, one of these characters may appear in your story!
Note: You may also try this activity with 'grandfather.'

List of "grandmother names"
1. Grandmother
2. Granny
3. Grandma/ Gramma
4. Babcia
5. Abuela
6. Ma
7. Your version

1 Comment
Eli
9/25/2013 03:39:04 am

That is a version of little red riding hood.

Reply



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    I've been a writer all my life - from the time I could hold a pencil. (Including one unfortunate permanent marker incident from which my parents' house still bears the scars. This is also when I first knew I would be a teacher!)

    On this blog you will find tips for becoming a better writer, but the most important thing to do is write.

    There is a secret to good writing.

    You have to write. All the time.

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