1/4: Writing a character analysis

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 3

Roadmap

• Today we are going to dive right in! (30 min lesson)
• Warm-up: YouTube Clip
• Explanation: character analysis
• Task: analyse a character from your novel

Role of the character

What role do they play?

Protagonist vs antagonist

Dynamic vs static

Round vs flat

The protagonist is the main character of the story. This person does not have to be a ‘good’ person and can also be an anti-hero, completely lacking any heroic qualities.

The antagonist can be a main character too and will have a conflict with the protagonist. The antagonist can be a foil of the protagonist, which is the complete opposite of the protagonist.

Motivation

What are their goals/hopes/dreams?

Character traits

• Personality
• Flaws
• Strengths
• Weaknesses

How does the character develop ->

Character development

Beginning of novel ----------> end of novel

Did the character change?

How did they change? Did they grow?

What events forced them to change?

Direct vs indirect characterisation

Direct characterization ->  descriptive language stating what a character is like; the author tells us

Indirect characterization  -> the author does not specify a character trait but it is implied in the text through speech, thoughts, effect on other characters, actions and looks.

Indirect characterization

How the characters “give themselves away” through choices, deeds, thought processes, speech and even the visual impressions they make.

STEAL acronym: 

Speech, Thoughts, Effect on others, Actions, Looks.

Task

Write a paragraph (or two, depending on the topics you want to cover) of about 100 words about a character in your novel. 

Create a google doc and give your teacher rights to comment on the document.

Due date: next Tuesday

Avoid plagiarism!

Review