Nonviolent Communication Literature Analysis: Character Empathy

I have created an initial worksheet that teachers can amend (for grade level) and photocopy (attached and following). I know how important it is for teachers to have materials (almost) ready to print; that is why something that seems so basic may be useful. I intend this activity for language arts where the students have already had an introduction to feelings and needs, and/or have lists available. I remember in college writing papers when all I could see were honesty or communication gaps, so I hope this helps jumpstart the NVC school of literary criticism.
best,Bob

Nonviolent Communication Literature Analysis: Character Empathy

Identify a character: __________

Name one specific event that happened to that character (by specific, I mean something that could be captured by a video camera):

What do you think the character was feeling related to that stimulus? Feelings gives us clues about needs being attended to or not attended to.

Uncomfortable feelings often come from unmet needs. Comfortable feelings often come from our understanding of met needs. What needs do you guess were involved for the character in this situation? What comes up for you imagining what was important for the character?

Do you have a sense of more tenderness or understanding of what the character’s experience was like?

Based on the character’s self-connection, can you imagine a request of themselves or somebody else that would be life-serving for the character?

did the character actually choose?

What need was met by that choice?

What need went unmet?