Crafting+a+Scene+by+Describing+Characters+Actions

Character actions and facial expressions written with precision help the reader to envision and become a part of the story.

__Model Text:__ //This section of text from Julie Brinckloe's Fireflies! shows how a writer describes characters actions.// We ran like crazy, barefoot in the grass. "Catch them, catch them!" we cried, gasping at the lights. Suddenly, a voice called out above the others, "I caught one!" And it was my own. I thrust my hand into the jar and spread it open. The Jar glowed like moonlight and I held it in my hands. I felt a tremble of joy and shouted, "I can catch hundreds!"

//This section of text from Julie Brinckloe's Fireflies! shows how an author shows character actions through facial expressions.// I held the jar, dark and empty, in my hands.

The moonlight and the fireflies swam in my tears, but I could feel myself smiling.

Questions: Picture your characters close up. Focus on their hands, feet, or face. What are they doing with them? How do you characters feel at this moment? What does their face look like when they feel this way? Can you describe the characters' facial expressions in a way that shows how they feel?

Today in your writing: Try to describe what the characters are doing. Not just the main chraracters-try to describe the actions of the other characters, too.

Remember that writers describe characters actions throughout the story. These actions help the reader visualize and envision the story.