CHARACTER ANALYSIS

Character Analysis I have used this form to teach Form Three and Four how to analyze characters in fiction. First, I go over the form, covering the definitions needed. Then, I have the class read one fiction selection, 'Unaswered Cries,' and then I teach the class how to fill out the form, clarifying definitions as we go through the form. Next, the class reads another short story. They are divided into groups and use the first completed form as notes to fill out the second one for a group. Then they read one or more short stories and have a test [as individuals] and fill out the form in class for one of the stories, using any and all notes that they have taken including the previous forms. [This teaches the value of notes and paying attention in class.] As an alternate, they have a test in which they are to demonstrate their knowledge of the characters using concepts from the character sheet.You can try this method to your students and see the positive results. Character's Name__________________ 1. Is the character static______ or dynamic_______? What makes you think so? _________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 2. a. What type of person is the character? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ b. What parts of the story make you feel this way about the character? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 3. In what ways has society or the environment created the character? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 4. How is this character's society different than yours? (*Note Remember society is more than just one person.) ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ 5. a. How does the character appear to other characters? (Be specific about which characters.) Which Characters? Their opinions about the chosen character. ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ b. Is the character aware of how he/she appears to others? Yes__ No__ Explain___________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ c. How self aware is the character? Very little 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Completely (Circle one) Explain your choice ________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 6. a. How does the character view his/her own world? ____ ___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ b. Is this view realistic? Yes__ No__ Why?_____________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 7. Would a person behave in real life like the character does in the story? Yes__ No__ Explain in detail. _________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ EXTRA CREDIT: 8. a. What type of person is the author in your opinion, based upon the story or stories written. __________ _________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ b. What do you think led the author to write this way? ____ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ 9. Is the character complex/round _____ or simple/flat _____? (*Note How many things do you know about the character? Remember: detail and variety make a character complex.) Explain your choice. _______________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________