Character Types
Introduction
O This lesson is about the different types of
characters found in literature. The different
types I will cover in this lesson are the
round, flat, static, and dynamic characters. I
will explain what each of these entail so that
you can identify types of characters in
stories that you read.
Flat/Round Characters
These terms define how in depth a character
is portrayed in a story.
Think about it 1-D vs. 3-D.
Flat Character
• Flat characters have few but easily recognizable
traits that make them stereotypical characters.
• 1-D, no depth.
Example: Mr. Filch, the caretaker of Hogwart's
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a flat
character, with his only undying obsession being
finding students breaking school rules.
(School bully, class clown, mean teacher, etc.)
Round Character
• These characters are many sided and complex,
with more than three characteristics shown.
• This is a character that develops through the
story and is very realistic.
• 3-D
Example: Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Hermione
Granger, Ginny Weasley and Severus Snape are
among some of the round characters in this series.
Static/Dynamic Character
These terms define whether a character
changes during a story.
Static Character
• These characters stay the same throughout the story.
• The character does NOT change through out the
story.
Example: In the Harry Potter series, we find that
Bellatrix Lestrange is a static character. We notice that
her personality is consistent and does not change; nor
does our knowledge of her character increase
throughout.
Dynamic Character
• A dynamic character is someone whose personality
changes through the course of writing, due to a
change in the situation or the plot.
• This may be from weak to strong, from strong to
weak, from a cheery person to a person in distress
(Note: Not always the protagonist).
Example: Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter's classmate,
who is the perpetually petrified student at Hogwart's.
However, toward the end of the series, he leads an army
of students to fight against Voldemort, the evil character
feared by all.
Practice!
http://allaccesspassblog.wordpress.com/201
2/08/04/tricks-to-teaching-character-types.
Turn and Talk to decide
Flat vs. Round: Dory or Marlin?
Static vs. Dynamic: Shrek or Lord
Farquaad?
Flat vs. Round
Flat
 One dimensional
 Character is limited
 See one side or
characteristic of the
character
 Probably will not
change over the course
of the story/novel
Round
 Three dimensional
 Character is a complete
pictured and as
complicated as you and
me
 Identify with the
character
 Enough information to
determine flaws or
virtues
Static vs. Dynamic
Static
 Stays the same
 Limited portrayal in story
and does not allow for
change or growth
 Uninteresting and serve a
specific purpose related to
the plot and main
character(s)
Dynamic
 Changes as a result of the
events in the story
 Portrayed early in one way
and develops over the time the
story covers and as a result of
events in the plot
 Typically the main
character(s) and changes are
clearly explained