Thought-tracking gets you inside the mind of a character. It helps you to write interesting answers about the person and the role he or she plays in the drama.
When you thought-track, you pause the action and imagine what is going on in the character’s head – the real thoughts and emotions, felt, but not spoken, at a particular moment.
THOUGHT-TRACK ALBERT
What thoughts might be going through Albert’s head as he listens to his parents arguing about the mortgage money?
❍ Is he thinking he should have stopped his father drinking too many beers before the auction?
❍ Is he wishing his father was a more reliable man? ❍ Is he feeling sorry for his mother? ❍ Might he have heard this kind of argument before? ❍ Is he sorry the money is gone, but excited about the horse?
THOUGHT-TRACK TED
What thoughts might be going through Ted’s head in the moment when Rose says, ‘I said did ya pay the mortgage?’
P. 91 K
Go to your Writing Skills Book to write your answer.
DIRECT THE CHARACTER OF ROSE Think about Rose’s feelings as she sees Ted and
Albert arriving home. She suspects that Ted has been drinking and didn’t pay the mortgage.
How do you think she should speak? Imagine her tone of voice and the look on her face. How should she stand? What gesture(s) might she make? Where should she position herself on the stage?
P. 91 K
Go to your Writing Skills Book to write your answer.
P. 91 K
Go to your Writing Skills Book to write your answer.
