For this assignment, students were challenged to use indirect characterization techniques--characters' appearance, actions, thoughts, dialogue, and other' characters' reactions--to show a character's personality. See if you can guess the character's trait before you get to the bottom of the piece.
Lisa
It’s Sunday, and today I get to go over to his house! I’m so excited--this will be the first time we get to be alone all by ourselves! I really don’t know if he knows how delighted I am to go to his house. He can’t drive, so I’m driving myself there, which is not typical, but I’ll do it for him.
I got out of bed this morning and awoke to the morning sun streaming across my face. I looked over at the time, and my clock read 8:30 a.m. Then I rolled over to check my phone that was fully charged with a text message from 3:30 a.m. from the most amazing guy ever.
Greg periodically sends me these amazing texts early in the morning describing his feelings for me and his reasons for them. I love waking up to them; they make me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. During the school year, my friends were so jealous because Greg isn’t even my boyfriend, but he sent me cuter texts than their boyfriends did for them. Man, Greg just does all the little things to make me happy.
I read the text for the 10th time and decided I needed to text him back with a spectacular morning text, but mine are never as thought out as his. He has time to think about what he wants to say because he isn’t involved in activities like I am. I always am on the go; whereas, he’d rather stay at home. We really are polar opposites, but that doesn’t matter--we connected through one of the few things we have in common, music.
We met during the school year. It was probably a month after we had been FaceTiming, texting, and talking on the phone everyday.
All these thoughts race through my head as I get ready for the day. As I got out of the shower, I saw my phone light alerting me that I have a text message, and I already know who it’s from. Greg, excited and ready for me to arrive! Ahh, I’m so thrilled. I hurry up and dry off and put some clothes on (a band t-shirt and jeans). I blow dry my hair, put one streak of eyeliner on each eye, and apply mascara. I look myself over in the mirror and brush out my hair and spritz some of my favorite perfume on. I’m sure that I look killer, and I pull on some socks and my converse. I look like your typical punk rock girl with a little less make-up and piercings. Everything seems perfect, so I shot Greg a text that I’m dying to leave, and immediately he said, “come on over!”
I told my parents I was leaving and dashed out the door. I got to my car hopped in and cranked the mix I made for Greg as I backed out of my driveway. I felt my heart racing as every mile passed and got closer to him!
Greg
I woke up again this morning, unable to sleep. What a great way to start off the week--no sleep because of my never-resting thoughts. I’ve never brought a girl home for two reasons. One, I can’t drive, and two, I’ve never thought any girl I’ve gone out with was worth bringing home. Lisa… she may have invited herself over, but she does that out of pure impulse. I would have asked her, but I probably would have messed it up somehow.
Since I’m thinking of her, I send her this long text message that could be longer. I don’t want to drown her out with all the thoughts that I have of her. She has know idea how much I think about her. She thinks she knows, but she really doesn’t.
I get done typing this message after what seems like forever. It’s 3:30 a.m., and I’m wide awake. Since I have until 11 a.m. before she gets here, I decide I’ll clean up my room because I look like a slob.
………….
Now, it’s time for me to get myself ready for her arrival. I take a shower that seemed to take forever, but I don’t know why. I march up the stairs to my room and slug over to my closet. I think I stand there for a solid 10 minutes before I decide to just go with a good ole band t-shirt and jeans. I have the hardest time choosing what to wear because I’m colorblind and I can’t see well anyway…. So I usually just wear a t-shirt and jeans anyway, and that’s what Lisa likes to wear too.
When I feel primed, she sends me a text that she’s “all ready to go,” and I grin, because it’s her. I text her back letting her know she can leave. I get off my bed and yell for my mom to let her know Lisa was on her way. My mom couldn’t be any weirder today: the house is clean and she’s already making snacks and starting dinner. She’s excited to meet Lisa. Everyone in my house remains quiet but attentive to what I say about her. They’re more enthusiastic than I am. I’m sure my sister is hoping for an ugly girl with no life so that she can ridicule me, but too bad! Lisa will shine so bright my sister will be blinded and won’t know what to say.
There’s a knock at the door.
Lisa
I made it to his house! 15 minutes worth of driving--so worth it!
I hit the door three times, stiffening with each hit.
Greg
I’m frozen. My mom opened the door, and when she does, it’s Lisa: glowing with a bright smile and perfect face. She looks up at me standing on the stairwell, and I begin to melt. I suddenly stand straight and my muscles loosen up.
She’s here, at my house.
Lisa
His mom answered the door, radiating with energy. I couldn’t really see past her energy to see the figure lurking on the stairwell. Greg. I saw a smile emerge from his previously still face. Sudden happiness appeared when he saw me looking at him.
I felt his dark eyes on me. Greg gazed at me sincerely, and when he realized I was looking back at him a redness appeared on his face. Greg suddenly turned away realizing I noticed him blushing. He is soo tall!! I mean, I’m only 5’4, so a lot of guys are taller than me. He has to be over 6 foot. Greg may be a twig, but he appears strong, like a swimmer with those broad shoulders. I can also tell he doesn’t go out much: his skin is fair and sprinkled with freckles.
After what feels like forever, he walks to the door and embraces me in a big hug! I can tell he just got done getting ready because the possessive smell of his clone overwhelms me. It’s a bitter-sweet, intoxicating smell that I don’t get tired of smelling. He pulls me close, and I know I’m secure and safe.
Greg
She’s here, and all I can do is smile!!! I can’t help but catch myself staring, which then turns into a blush because I know that she saw me staring. I may not be able to see colors very well, but I know that Lisa’s eyes are the most spectacular shade of brown. It’s my favorite physical feature she has.
When I look at her, I have to look down. I can see right over her head and would even have to bend down to rest my chin on her head. Her clothes fit her well, and she wears one of her favorite bands. She applied makeup to her face when she doesn’t need any… she still radiates beauty without it.
When I broke from what seems like a spell she had on me, I stepped toward her to hug her. I love giving her hugs! I like the way she hugs me back: it’s like she doesn’t want me to let go. I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her enough so that she would feel safe. I then laid my cheek on her head, and I could smell the vanilla sweetness of her shampoo, just like her personality. Always so sweet.
Greg: Shy and reserved
Lisa: Confident and outgoing
It’s Sunday, and today I get to go over to his house! I’m so excited--this will be the first time we get to be alone all by ourselves! I really don’t know if he knows how delighted I am to go to his house. He can’t drive, so I’m driving myself there, which is not typical, but I’ll do it for him.
I got out of bed this morning and awoke to the morning sun streaming across my face. I looked over at the time, and my clock read 8:30 a.m. Then I rolled over to check my phone that was fully charged with a text message from 3:30 a.m. from the most amazing guy ever.
Greg periodically sends me these amazing texts early in the morning describing his feelings for me and his reasons for them. I love waking up to them; they make me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. During the school year, my friends were so jealous because Greg isn’t even my boyfriend, but he sent me cuter texts than their boyfriends did for them. Man, Greg just does all the little things to make me happy.
I read the text for the 10th time and decided I needed to text him back with a spectacular morning text, but mine are never as thought out as his. He has time to think about what he wants to say because he isn’t involved in activities like I am. I always am on the go; whereas, he’d rather stay at home. We really are polar opposites, but that doesn’t matter--we connected through one of the few things we have in common, music.
We met during the school year. It was probably a month after we had been FaceTiming, texting, and talking on the phone everyday.
All these thoughts race through my head as I get ready for the day. As I got out of the shower, I saw my phone light alerting me that I have a text message, and I already know who it’s from. Greg, excited and ready for me to arrive! Ahh, I’m so thrilled. I hurry up and dry off and put some clothes on (a band t-shirt and jeans). I blow dry my hair, put one streak of eyeliner on each eye, and apply mascara. I look myself over in the mirror and brush out my hair and spritz some of my favorite perfume on. I’m sure that I look killer, and I pull on some socks and my converse. I look like your typical punk rock girl with a little less make-up and piercings. Everything seems perfect, so I shot Greg a text that I’m dying to leave, and immediately he said, “come on over!”
I told my parents I was leaving and dashed out the door. I got to my car hopped in and cranked the mix I made for Greg as I backed out of my driveway. I felt my heart racing as every mile passed and got closer to him!
Greg
I woke up again this morning, unable to sleep. What a great way to start off the week--no sleep because of my never-resting thoughts. I’ve never brought a girl home for two reasons. One, I can’t drive, and two, I’ve never thought any girl I’ve gone out with was worth bringing home. Lisa… she may have invited herself over, but she does that out of pure impulse. I would have asked her, but I probably would have messed it up somehow.
Since I’m thinking of her, I send her this long text message that could be longer. I don’t want to drown her out with all the thoughts that I have of her. She has know idea how much I think about her. She thinks she knows, but she really doesn’t.
I get done typing this message after what seems like forever. It’s 3:30 a.m., and I’m wide awake. Since I have until 11 a.m. before she gets here, I decide I’ll clean up my room because I look like a slob.
………….
Now, it’s time for me to get myself ready for her arrival. I take a shower that seemed to take forever, but I don’t know why. I march up the stairs to my room and slug over to my closet. I think I stand there for a solid 10 minutes before I decide to just go with a good ole band t-shirt and jeans. I have the hardest time choosing what to wear because I’m colorblind and I can’t see well anyway…. So I usually just wear a t-shirt and jeans anyway, and that’s what Lisa likes to wear too.
When I feel primed, she sends me a text that she’s “all ready to go,” and I grin, because it’s her. I text her back letting her know she can leave. I get off my bed and yell for my mom to let her know Lisa was on her way. My mom couldn’t be any weirder today: the house is clean and she’s already making snacks and starting dinner. She’s excited to meet Lisa. Everyone in my house remains quiet but attentive to what I say about her. They’re more enthusiastic than I am. I’m sure my sister is hoping for an ugly girl with no life so that she can ridicule me, but too bad! Lisa will shine so bright my sister will be blinded and won’t know what to say.
There’s a knock at the door.
Lisa
I made it to his house! 15 minutes worth of driving--so worth it!
I hit the door three times, stiffening with each hit.
Greg
I’m frozen. My mom opened the door, and when she does, it’s Lisa: glowing with a bright smile and perfect face. She looks up at me standing on the stairwell, and I begin to melt. I suddenly stand straight and my muscles loosen up.
She’s here, at my house.
Lisa
His mom answered the door, radiating with energy. I couldn’t really see past her energy to see the figure lurking on the stairwell. Greg. I saw a smile emerge from his previously still face. Sudden happiness appeared when he saw me looking at him.
I felt his dark eyes on me. Greg gazed at me sincerely, and when he realized I was looking back at him a redness appeared on his face. Greg suddenly turned away realizing I noticed him blushing. He is soo tall!! I mean, I’m only 5’4, so a lot of guys are taller than me. He has to be over 6 foot. Greg may be a twig, but he appears strong, like a swimmer with those broad shoulders. I can also tell he doesn’t go out much: his skin is fair and sprinkled with freckles.
After what feels like forever, he walks to the door and embraces me in a big hug! I can tell he just got done getting ready because the possessive smell of his clone overwhelms me. It’s a bitter-sweet, intoxicating smell that I don’t get tired of smelling. He pulls me close, and I know I’m secure and safe.
Greg
She’s here, and all I can do is smile!!! I can’t help but catch myself staring, which then turns into a blush because I know that she saw me staring. I may not be able to see colors very well, but I know that Lisa’s eyes are the most spectacular shade of brown. It’s my favorite physical feature she has.
When I look at her, I have to look down. I can see right over her head and would even have to bend down to rest my chin on her head. Her clothes fit her well, and she wears one of her favorite bands. She applied makeup to her face when she doesn’t need any… she still radiates beauty without it.
When I broke from what seems like a spell she had on me, I stepped toward her to hug her. I love giving her hugs! I like the way she hugs me back: it’s like she doesn’t want me to let go. I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her enough so that she would feel safe. I then laid my cheek on her head, and I could smell the vanilla sweetness of her shampoo, just like her personality. Always so sweet.
Greg: Shy and reserved
Lisa: Confident and outgoing
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