2 Character Interview
Matthew Malerba
Strategy Overview
- Pushes students to think critically and use their imagination to truly play the role of a given character.
- The most important part of this activity is that it gets students thinking about their characters on a deeper level (Apples and Bananas Education, 2018).
- Develops comprehension of the text and overall details of the story as students must actively engage in the material and look through the lens of a specific character.
- Students are able to strengthen their communication skills, especially their interviewing/questioning skills.
Strategy in Action
Prior to reading, the teacher will let students know about this character interview activity and will allow students to pick a character of significance from a story/book they are reading as a class. Students will then read and engage in the material while also keeping this character in mind. When finished reading, the teacher will pair students up for their interviews, Students will have time to then come up with questions to ask their fellow “character” and also prepare themselves for any answers they may be asked. One at a time, students will play the role of their chosen character and ask their partner questions, about a world view, a detail from the story, or anything that will push their partner to answer in the role of their character. Next, students will take turns asking and answering questions while also recording specific ideas and perspectives they may come across when conducting the interview.
Student Example
After completion of the reading, teacher groups students into pairs, then students have time to come up with questions to ask one another, once given enough time, Student 1 begins to question Student 2 as they assume the roles/personas of their characters. After each question, students have a few seconds to write down responses, at the end, students share their main findings.
References
Apples and Banana Education. (2018, February 3). Character interview – A short story writing activity. Applesandbananaseducation.com. https://applesandbananaseducation.com/character-interview-short-story-writing-activity/
