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E9 M - Character development and conflict

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E9 M - Character development and conflict

Mini-description: Explore how a character, relationship or conflict changes across a story. Use clear text evidence to explain your ideas.

Level: English as a first foreign language, Grade 9, Baden-Württemberg, M level, B1-oriented.

Learning loop: English first → understand → respond → ask → hint → improve → use again.

Media start: Look at the plot mountain. Where could a character change most strongly: near the beginning, during rising action, or near a turning point? Give one reason in English.

<details> <summary>Deutsch-Hilfe</summary> Denke an einen Moment, der eine Entscheidung, Beziehung oder einen Konflikt verändert. Übersetze nicht den ganzen Text. </details>

I can ...

I can ...	Success check
explain a change in a character, relationship or conflict	I compare an earlier and a later moment.
use text evidence	I quote or refer to a specific line or action.
explain why the evidence matters	I add: This shows that ...
discuss different ideas	I react, ask for evidence and agree or disagree politely.
improve my own analysis	I use feedback but keep my own wording.

Activate your knowledge

Character: Name one character from a story or film who changes.
Conflict: Give one example of an internal or external conflict.
Text evidence: What is stronger: “She changes” or “At first she avoids him, but later she asks for his help”? Explain.

Notice: A story gives events. An analysis connects events with cause, reaction and change.

Key language

Word	Simple meaning	Useful chunk
character trait	a quality of a character	At first, the character seems ...
motivation	a reason for acting	The character acts because ...
relationship	how two characters connect	Their relationship becomes ...
conflict	a struggle or problem	The conflict starts when ...
turning point	a moment that changes the direction	A turning point occurs when ...
reaction	what someone does after an event	The character reacts by ...
text evidence	a detail from the text that supports an idea	The line “...” shows ...
development	change over time	This development suggests ...

<details> <summary>Deutsch-Hilfe</summary> trait = Eigenschaft; motivation = Beweggrund; turning point = Wendepunkt; evidence = Beleg. Nutze die Hilfe nur, wenn der Kontext nicht reicht. </details>

Listening and viewing

Viewing task 1 – understand: Watch once. Note three ideas about how characters can change.

Viewing task 2 – respond: Watch again. Complete: A character may change because ...

Viewing task 3 – evidence: Name one action, reaction or interaction that can show change.

Conflict focus: Listen for the difference between an internal and an external conflict. Then create one short example of each.

Multi-voice listening: Listen to a short teacher-selected section of the dramatic reading. Identify two voices. What do their words or reactions show about their relationship? First listen for gist; then listen again for one detail.

Listening rule: You do not need every word. Focus on who speaks, what changes and what evidence you hear.

Reading: Two Seats Left

Original practice text – fictional names and situation

[1] On Monday, Jay and Noor become partners for a school film project. Jay likes planning every step. Noor prefers trying ideas while working. Jay sends a detailed schedule. Noor answers, “We don’t need every minute planned.” Jay feels ignored, but he says nothing.

[2] On Wednesday, Noor changes the opening scene without asking Jay. The new scene is strong, but it replaces work Jay prepared. “You deleted my best part,” Jay says. Noor replies, “I was trying to make it better.” Jay closes the laptop and leaves.

[3] On Thursday, Jay reads the teacher’s note: the team must explain why it made each creative choice. He realises the film needs both structure and new ideas. He messages Noor: “Can we combine them?” Noor answers, “Yes. I should have asked first.”

[4] They keep Noor’s new opening and add Jay’s planned interview later. At the screening, Jay lets Noor introduce the film. Noor thanks Jay for giving the project a clear structure. Their film does not win, but they leave the room discussing a new project.

Quick read:

What is the main conflict in paragraphs 1–2?
What is the turning point in paragraph 3?
How does the relationship change by paragraph 4?
Find two pieces of text evidence that prove change.

<details> <summary>Hint 1 – key words</summary> planning, improvising, ignored, asking, combine, thanks </details>

<details> <summary>Hint 2 – sentence frame</summary> At first, ... . Later, ... . The line “...” shows that ... . </details>

<details> <summary>Hint 3 – evidence finder</summary> Compare paragraph 1 with paragraph 3, and paragraph 2 with paragraph 4. </details>

From evidence to analysis

Step	Question	Example
1. Identify	What changes?	Jay becomes more direct and cooperative.
2. Evidence	What proves it?	At first he “says nothing”; later he asks, “Can we combine them?”
3. Explain	Why does it matter?	He stops avoiding the problem and starts solving it with Noor.
4. Connect	What happens to the relationship?	Their tension develops into cooperation.

M-level rule: Do not stop after the quote. Explain what the evidence shows.

Functional grammar for analysis

Function	Language
contrast two moments	At first ..., but later ... .
show cause	... because ... .
show result	... so ... .
compare	The relationship is more trusting than before.
add evidence	The line “...” shows that ... .
qualify an idea	Although they still disagree, they cooperate.

Mini-task: Combine these ideas in one sentence: Jay is upset. Noor changed his work. Use because.

Pronunciation and fluency

Practice the stressed parts: CON-flict, de-VE-lop, re-LA-tion-ship, E-vi-dence.

Say these chunks smoothly:

At first, the character ...
A turning point occurs when ...
This evidence shows that ...
I see your point, but ...

Optional recording: Record yourself only if you want to. Keep recordings private unless you choose to share them. No upload is required.

Speaking: compare and negotiate

Work with a partner.

Round 1: Student A explains Jay’s development in 30–45 seconds.

Round 2: Student B asks: What evidence supports that?

Round 3: Decide together: Is the biggest change in Jay, Noor, or their relationship?

Use:

I think the strongest change is ...
My evidence is ...
I see your point, but ...
Can you show me where the text supports that?
We agree that ...

Challenge: React once without notes.

Writing: one focused analysis paragraph

Write 100–140 words.

Prompt: How does one character or the relationship between Jay and Noor develop from the beginning to the end?

Use:

a clear opening idea
an earlier moment
a later moment
at least two specific pieces of text evidence
an explanation of what the evidence shows
a short concluding sentence

Useful frame: At first, ... . This can be seen when ... . Later, ... . The line “...” shows ... . Therefore, ...

Mediation

A German-speaking classmate missed the lesson. Explain in 3–4 German sentences what text evidence is and why it is useful. Include one short English example from the story. Do not translate the whole story.

Feedback and improve

Check	Yes / not yet
I describe a real change, not only a character trait.
I use specific evidence.
I explain the evidence.
I connect beginning and end.
My paragraph is easy to follow.

Peer feedback: Give one strength and one next step.

Helpful feedback language: Your evidence is clear because ... / You could explain more clearly how ... changes.

Keep your own text: Feedback should help you improve your version, not replace it.

Error analysis

Weak answer: “Jay is nicer at the end because he is nice and the conflict is better.”

Improve it:

Replace the vague word nicer with a more precise idea.
Add evidence from two different parts of the story.
Explain how the evidence proves change.
Add one connector such as but, because, although or therefore.

Check for common problems: summary without analysis, evidence without explanation, unsupported opinion, unclear pronouns, tense shifts.

Media evidence lab

Image task: Infer one possible conflict. State clearly that it is an inference from the image, not a fact about the whole story.

Relationship task: Describe what body language may suggest about the relationship. Use cautious language: may, might, seems.

Transfer: Place the four paragraphs of Two Seats Left on a simple story arc. Which paragraph works best as the turning point?

Responsible use of media and AI

Source check: Check facts, quotations and media information against the original source.
Text evidence: An AI suggestion is not evidence for a literary claim; the story itself is the evidence.
Privacy: Do not upload private social-media data, personal recordings or real application data for this task.
Own writing: Keep your own draft. If a school-approved AI tool gives feedback, compare it with the text and decide what to keep.
Fair use of feedback: Ask for hints or questions before asking for a complete replacement answer.

Transfer challenge

Choose a story, novel, comic, game narrative or film you already know.

Create a three-point change map:

Beginning	Turning point	End
What is the character, relationship or conflict like?	What event changes it?	What is different now?

Add one piece of evidence for each point. For film or games, evidence can be a line, action, repeated visual detail or clearly described scene.

Can-do check

Rate yourself: secure / almost / not yet.

Can-do statement	My check
I can identify a meaningful change across a story.
I can distinguish change from simple description.
I can choose relevant text evidence.
I can explain how evidence supports my idea.
I can compare two interpretations politely.
I can improve an analysis after feedback.

Next course: E9 M - Theme and message or E9 M - Point of view and perspective.

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

What is text evidence? (A specific detail from the text that supports an idea) (!A personal opinion with no example) (!A full translation of the text) (!A list of difficult words)

Which sentence best shows development? (At first Jay says nothing, but later he asks Noor to combine their ideas.) (!Jay and Noor have a school project.) (!The film has an opening scene.) (!The teacher gives the class a task.)

What is a turning point? (A moment that changes the direction of a story or conflict) (!The title of a story) (!A list of character names) (!The first word in a paragraph)

Which conflict is internal? (A character struggles with a difficult decision) (!Two characters want opposite things) (!A storm blocks the journey) (!A school rule causes a problem)

What should follow a quotation in an analysis? (An explanation of what the evidence shows) (!A new unrelated topic) (!A complete translation) (!A list of synonyms)

How does Jay first react to feeling ignored? (He says nothing.) (!He ends the project.) (!He asks the teacher to choose a new partner.) (!He deletes Noor's work.)

What changes the direction of Jay and Noor's conflict? (Jay suggests combining their ideas.) (!They win the film competition.) (!They stop speaking forever.) (!The teacher cancels the project.)

Which connector is useful for contrasting two moments? (but) (!because only) (!maybe only) (!very only)

Which sentence is the strongest analysis? (The line shows that Jay now tries to solve the conflict instead of avoiding it.) (!The line is in paragraph three.) (!I like this line very much.) (!The sentence has seven words.)

What is a good discussion move? (Ask what evidence supports an interpretation.) (!Reject another idea without listening.) (!Translate every sentence first.) (!Repeat the same claim without evidence.)

Memory

character trait	quality of a character
motivation	reason for an action
turning point	event that changes direction
text evidence	supporting detail from the text
internal conflict	struggle inside a character
relationship	connection between characters

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Thema
Beginning	first state of the character or relationship
Conflict	struggle that creates a problem
Turning point	event that changes the direction
Evidence	detail that supports the analysis
Development	meaningful change across the story

Kreuzworträtsel

Evidence	What supports an interpretation with a detail from the text?
Conflict	What do we call a struggle between opposing needs or forces?
Change	What must you track from an earlier to a later moment?
Reaction	What a character does after an event is called a what?
Dialogue	Which form of spoken exchange can reveal a relationship?
Contrast	What technique compares differences between two moments?

LearningApps

Lückentext

A character may develop when events change their choices or attitudes. A useful analysis compares an earlier moment with a

moment. A major event that changes the direction of the story can be a

. A struggle inside a character is an

conflict. A struggle with another person or outside force is an

conflict. A strong interpretation needs specific

from the text. After giving evidence, you should

what it shows. The connector

can contrast two moments. The connector

can explain a reason. Good feedback helps you

your own text without replacing your ideas.

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

Change map: Draw three boxes for beginning, turning point and end. Add one short note from Two Seats Left to each box.
Evidence hunt: Find three details that show tension or cooperation between Jay and Noor.
Dialogue reading: Read one dialogue exchange with a partner. Change your tone to show tension, then cooperation.
Image inference: Choose one Commons image in this MOOC and write two cautious sentences about a possible conflict.

Standard

Character comparison: Compare Jay at the beginning and the end in 80–100 words.
Relationship analysis: Explain how Jay and Noor move from tension to cooperation. Use two pieces of evidence.
Alternative turning point: Change one event in paragraph 3 and explain how the ending might change.
Mini discussion: In a group of three, decide whether Jay, Noor or their relationship changes most. Support every claim with evidence.

Schwer

Parallel analysis: Compare the development in Two Seats Left with a character from another story or film.
Scene rewrite: Rewrite paragraph 2 from Noor’s point of view while keeping the key conflict.
Evidence ranking: Select four pieces of evidence and explain which one best proves development. Justify your choice.
Micro presentation: Give a two-minute presentation with a change map, two pieces of evidence and one possible alternative interpretation.

Lernkontrolle

Transfer analysis: Read a new short narrative. Explain one change in a character or relationship and support it with two details from different parts of the text.
Evidence quality: Compare two possible pieces of evidence for the same claim. Decide which one is more useful and explain why.
Conflict and development: Explain how a conflict causes or blocks character development in a new story.
Alternative interpretation: Give two plausible interpretations of one character’s reaction and show what evidence supports each one.
Media transfer: Analyse a short film scene without retelling the whole plot. Focus on one change and one audiovisual detail.
Revision task: Improve a weak analysis paragraph by adding precise evidence, explanation and a clear link between beginning and end.

Lernnachweis

For a successful learning record, show that you can:

Change over time: compare an earlier and a later moment.
Text evidence: choose relevant evidence from different parts of a text.
Explanation: explain why the evidence supports your idea.
Conflict: connect conflict, reaction and development.
Relationship: describe how interactions change a relationship.
Speaking: react to another interpretation and ask for evidence.
Writing: produce a coherent B1-oriented analysis paragraph.
Mediation: explain the main analytical idea in German without translating the full text.
Revision: improve your own work after feedback.
Media literacy: distinguish source evidence, inference and AI-generated suggestions.

OERs zum Thema

Freely usable / openly accessible media used in this course:

Video sources:

Curriculum reference:

Englisch als erste Fremdsprache, Gemeinsamer Bildungsplan Sekundarstufe I, Baden-Württemberg

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E9 M - Character development and conflict

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