Instructions: Create two characters and provide a description of their internal and external motivations. Then, write a short scene where their motivations influence their actions. Character 1: • Internal Motivation: ____________________________________________ • External Motivation: ____________________________________________ Character 2: • Internal Motivation: ____________________________________________

Question

Katniss’ internal motivation for volunteering as tribute is rooted in her love and protective instinct for her younger sister, Prim. The thought of Prim being chosen for the Hunger Games fills Katniss with dread, and her decision reflects a deep-seated desire to safeguard her sister at all costs, showcasing her bravery and selflessness.

Katniss’ external motivation for volunteering is driven by the societal norms and pressures of the Hunger Games and the expectation of self-sacrifice within her district.

These motivations significantly advance the plot by setting the stage for Katniss' evolving journey as a hero. Her internal motivation showcases her character's depth and the emotional stakes involved, while her external motivation introduces a conflict against the authoritarian regime of the Capitol.

Lily Bennett

Lily seeks validation and acceptance after years of feeling overlooked and underestimated. She is driven by a need to prove her worth, both to herself and to those around her.

As a junior architect, Lily is determined to impress her firm’s senior partners with her innovative design proposal for a high-profile urban project.

Marcus Chen

Marcus grapples with guilt from a past failure where a friend's career was jeopardized due to a missed opportunity he could have facilitated.

• External Motivation: ____________________________________________ Scene: Write a short scene (3-4 lines) where these characters interact, and their motivations influence their decisions or actions. Consider how their internal and external motivations affect the way they speak, act, or make decisions. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Part 4: Reflecting on Motivation Objective: Reflect on how understanding internal and external motivations deepens the understanding of characters and their decisions. __________________________________________________________________ Instructions: Answer the following questions based on your own reading experiences: 1. How do you think characters’ internal and external motivations impact the decisions they make in stories? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 2. Think about a character from a book or movie you enjoy. What are their internal and external motivations? How do these motivations drive the plot? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Answer 1

Character 1: Lily Bennett
• Internal Motivation: Lily seeks validation and acceptance after years of feeling overlooked and underestimated. She is driven by a need to prove her worth, both to herself and to those around her.
• External Motivation: As a junior architect, Lily is determined to impress her firm’s senior partners with her innovative design proposal for a high-profile urban project.

Character 2: Marcus Chen
• Internal Motivation: Marcus grapples with guilt from a past failure where a friend's career was jeopardized due to a missed opportunity he could have facilitated.
• External Motivation: Marcus is driven to redeem himself by actively helping others succeed, particularly in his current role as a project coordinator at the firm, where he can influence the careers of talented junior architects like Lily.

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Scene:
Lily hurriedly adjusted the final touches on her presentation, stealing glances at Marcus, who was reviewing documents nearby. “Do you think they’ll see the potential in this design?” she asked, her voice tinged with anxiety. Marcus looked up, sensing her desperation. “They will, but trust me, you need to frame it as a community project. Make it about the people, not just the structures,” he replied, his own heart racing with the weight of ensuring her success. Each word he spoke was a step towards his redemption, encouraging her silently while shoring up his own sense of worth.

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Part 4: Reflecting on Motivation

1. How do you think characters’ internal and external motivations impact the decisions they make in stories?
   Characters' internal motivations provide depth and complexity, revealing their fears, desires, and conflicts. These motivations often shape their choices in the face of challenges, driving them toward specific actions that reflect their values and growth. External motivations often add societal pressures or situational constraints that further guide or restrict characters' decisions, creating tension and enhancing narrative stakes.

2. Think about a character from a book or movie you enjoy. What are their internal and external motivations? How do these motivations drive the plot?
   In "The Great Gatsby," Jay Gatsby's internal motivation is his longing for love and acceptance, particularly in relation to Daisy Buchanan. This internal drive propels him to recreate his past and accumulate wealth. His external motivation stems from the societal expectations of wealth and success during the Roaring Twenties, pushing him into extravagant parties to gain attention. These motivations create tension and ultimately lead to his tragic downfall as he realizes that he cannot reclaim the past or change the superficial nature of the world around him.