Module One

Reading Three: Developing my character

One of the fun ways to self evaluate is to write a story or develop a screen play. There are lots of tools on the web and in business that support that process. One of them is the Storywriter or Dramatica http://storymind.com/dramatica/characters.htm

Their story engine takes bits and pieces of human nature and winds them together.

In the model the story elements define what a person has done in the past and then an author can develop the likely next step. It is a complex view of human nature, using a 3-D approach. Here is a sample of the ideas they present.

UNIVERSE

PHYSICS

PAST Fate Prediction Interdiction Destiny	PROGRESS Fact Security Threat Fantasy
FUTURE Openness DelayChoice Preconceptions	PRESENT Work Attract Repel Attempt

UNDERSTANDING Knowledge Ability Desire Thought	DOING Wisdom Skill Experience Enlightenment
OBTAINING Approach Self-interest Morality Attitude	LEARNING Prerequisites Strategy Analysis Preconditions

PSYCHOLOGY

MIND

CONCEPTUALIZING State of Being Situation Circumstances Sense of self	BEING Knowledge Ability Desire Thought
BECOMING Rationalization Commitment Responsibility Obligation	CONCEIVING Permission Need Expediency Deficiency

MEMORY Truth Evidence Suspicion Falsehood	PRE-CONSCIOUS Value Confidence Worry Worth
SUBCONSCIOUS Closure Hope Dream Denial	CONSCIOUS Investigation Appraisa lRe-appraisal Doubt

This is just the first round of ideas. Each of these has another four pieces to further explicate the character and flesh out who the character is going to be and what to expect of the person.

If you find this fascinating, you may wish to explore their writing engine and multitude of tools.

Again, this is one way, a paradigm, for looking at who a person is -- who you are -- and coming to understand the nature and actions of students in the class. We seldom review our own motives and actions in such complex terms, but these are some of the pieces that contribute to rich characters, and they are part of the pieces of who we are, as well.

Take just one set of elements and think about what you know of yourself with respect to each category. Send an email to let the instructor know you have completed the reading and participated in the self exploration. Janne.Ellsworth@nau.edu

First Assignment / Activity

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