CHARACTER TRAITS
• Objective: I can analyze how a character’s traits influence that characters actions
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
What is a character trait?
How are internal and external traits different?
How do character traits influence actions?
WHAT ARE TRAITS?
Take a couple of seconds to think about the main character in a
current book you are reading.
What types of traits do you believe your character has?
How do you know their trait by their actions in the story?
CHARACTER TRAIT
A character trait is a characteristic or quality of a character that
describes the character.
Characterization – the way an
author reveals the special
qualities and personalities of
a character in a story, making
the character believable.
Analyzing Character Traits
We try to figure out what a character in a
book is like by paying attention to the clues
the author gives us. This is called “making
inferences.”
Example: What can you infer?
“No, Honey, I don’t want you to spend a lot
of money on my birthday present. Just
having you for a husband is the only gift I
need. In fact, I’ll just drive my old rusty
bucket of bolts down to the mall and buy
myself a little present. And if the poor old
car doesn't break down, I’ll be back soon.”
Indirect Characterization – writer shows you
what character is like by revealing:
• Appearance
• Actions
• Words
• Thoughts and feelings
• Other character’s comments or
reactions
Appearance
Can infer a lot about characters from
the clothes they wear, their facial
features, their body language, and their
mannerisms.
Tex was the head rancher on the farm. When
he rounds up the horses, he can be easily
spotted with his beige hat and vest. Tex’s
smile is a mile wild, even with his bushy
mustache.
jovial
proud
dedicated
Actions – Much of
what we learn about
characters is
revealed to us
through what they
do.
Cara picked up the slimy bull frog.
She could hardly stand to hold it even
for a moment. She held it out at
arm’s length from her body and
quickly carried it to her brother.
squeamish
sensitive
nervous
Words – We often
get to know
characters
because of what
they say to each
other.
Cassie threw her arms around Tony and
gave him a big hug. “Thank you so much
for being there for me,” she said. “I don’t
think I could have faced my parents
without you.”
thoughtful
compassionate
appreciative
Thoughts and
feelings – When
an author lets us get
inside the mind of a
character, we can often
learn a great deal about
him or her.
Tony looked around the neighborhood. “This
would be a safe place to play catch with
Bobby,” he thought. “Why doesn’t Bobby
throw the ball?” He must be in a bad mood or
something.”
loyal
concerned
playful
Other character’s comments or
reactions – sometimes other
characters will tell us something
useful about the character we’re
reading about.
“You wouldn’t believe what Lisa did
yesterday,” Sara said to her sister. “When we
went into the bridal shop, she pushed all the
women aside and demanded that the sales
lady help us immediately. It was really
something!”
Demanding
pushy
assertive
Direct Characterization
The writer tells you exactly (directly) what
the character is like.
Amy was a determined three
year old, who knew what she
wanted and often got her
way, if she cried loud enough.
Mr. McCarthy has an
obnoxiously loud voice
which he uses to intimidate
his students.
Did you eat
your stupid
chips for
lunch today?
REVIEW:
APPEARANCE/EXTERNAL CHARACTER TRAITS
short hair
red hair
blond hair
How would you describe
what a character looks
like?
glasses
spiked hair
INTERNAL CHARACTER TRAITS
Can you guess the traits for these characters?
HOW TRAITS INFLUENCE ACTIONS?
• Traits can influence a characters
actions.
• When reading a passage it is
important to pay very close
attention to how a character acts. T
he way they act will tell you what trait
best describes them.
GET YOUR WHITE BOARDS OUT!
Read the passages carefully and choose the trait that
best answers the question.
After school on a winter day, Justin was putting his coat away in the closet. When he
looked up he saw a shiny piece red paper. As he reached up to grab it he realized it was
a gift. To his surprise his name was on the package! Justin knew it was only three more
days until he could open it but he could not wait! He carefully opened the package to
take a peek. After the excitement of seeing his new toy he carefully rewrapped the
package and put it away.
What trait best describes Justin?
• a. impatient
b. thoughtful
c. respectful
• What part from the story best depicts this trait?
• a. Justin reached up and to his surprise saw his name on the package!
• b. Justin knew it was only three more days until he could open the gift but he could
not wait!
• c. He carefully rewrapped the package and put it away.
Lisa was in a nervous looking through her desk for the missing sheet that she
remembers she turned in. She was having so much trouble because there were stacks
and stack of papers stuffed into the depths of her desk. She then decided to look
through her backpack which was not any better than her desk. As she unzipped her bag
mountains of paper came flying out.
What character trait best describes Lisa?
• a. patient
b. unorganized c. forgetful
• On your whiteboard write clue words that help identify this trait?
Nick was very excited to see his report card. He knew that he always worked very
hard and turned in all of his work. His parents never had to ask him to do his
homework. He also never had missing work because he always remembered to
turn it in.
What character trait best describes Nick?
• a. busy b. respectful c. responsible
• What sentence best describes this trait?
• a. Nick is really smart.
• b. Nick was very excited to see his report card.
• c. He knew that he always worked very hard and turned in all of his homework.
CLOSURE
On your whiteboards, write down things you should look for in the text
to help you find a character’s trait.