Name__________________ Date__________ Period___
Character Mandala
Part One: The Mandala
A mandala is a visual display of symbols that represents a person’s view of the world. It is traditionally
organized using patterns and symbols. You will create your own version of a mandala to represent the
protagonist from your novel. Remember, the mandala should illustrate who the character is and what is
most important to him/her.

The Inner Circle—the center of your mandala represents the “heart and soul” of the character. The
inner circle of your mandala should contain one symbol that represents one of the following:
 Your character’s greatest inspiration
 Your character’s values or beliefs
 Your character’s most important quality or personality trait

The Middle Circle—this is the largest part of your mandala. This middle circle should contain at
least three symbols. These symbols can represent:
 Challenges your character faced in the story
 Important events your character experienced in the story
 An emotion your character experienced in the story
 A life lesson your character learned in the story
 A goal or dream your character has
 A triumph or victory your character experienced in the story
 Something that helped “shape” your character, or make your character the person he/she is

The Outer Circle—this is the one and only part of your mandala that will contain any words. The
outer circle consists of a quote or passage from the story or from another author that connects to
your character. It could reflect his/her beliefs, actions, or attitude in some way. This quote should be
written around the perimeter of your mandala. The words should encircle the perimeter completely.
You may repeat the quote as many times as needed to fill up the perimeter of your madala.
Designing Your Mandala—Once you have brainstormed your four (or more) symbols and your
quotation, you must organize your ideas into a mandala design. Your design should include the following
elements:
 Be circular in shape
 Show a symmetrical pattern
 Be arranged according to the three layers described above
 Be neat, colorful, and visually expressive (symbols should clearly represent ideas)
 Have minimal white space—your designs should fill your entire circle
 Show attention to detail
Some things to Remember:
 A symbol is not simply a drawing! It is a single object or design that represents an idea. Colors,
animals and objects have global meanings that have been used for thousands of years. For
example, a chopped down tree could represent the fact that life is short. A dove is traditionally
used as a symbol of peace. Red is a passionate color. Your symbols should not be drawings of
things that happened in the story; however, your symbols can be either objects that already exist
in the story or objects that commonly represent the idea you are trying to convey.
Name__________________ Date__________ Period___
Character Mandala Planning Sheet
Character________________________
Inner Circle: Character’s personality trait_________________________
Symbol representing that trait: Object____________ Color________________
Explanation of how the object AND color represents the character trait ____________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Middle Circle: (challenge, important event, emotion, lesson, goal, or victory)
Symbol 1: Object____________ Color________________
Explanation of how you are using the object and color__________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Symbol 2: Object____________ Color________________
Explanation of how you are using the object and color__________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Symbol 3: Object____________ Color________________
Explanation of how you are using the object and color__________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Outer Circle: quote from the story that reflects his beliefs, actions, attitude_______________________
________________________________________________________________________
Explanation of how the quote reflects his beliefs, actions, attitude_______________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Name__________________ Date__________ Period___
Character________________________________________
Name__________________ Date__________ Period___
Standards:
 State both the literal and/or inferred main ideas in literary/narrative text and provide
supporting text-based details.
 State the theme/message and supporting details
 Identify literary devices and explain how they make the story more interesting or convey a
message
 Identify and explain author’s purpose
 Infer and explain the author’s beliefs and assumptions, citing text-based evidence for choice
 Identify implied themes in text and support with evidence from the text
4
Significant colors,
animals and/or objects
from the story used to
symbolize character
trait and experiences
&/or emotions,
thoughtful and
accurate choice of
symbolic meaning for
the character
Explanations for the
choice of colors,
symbols, and the
quote enhance
understanding of the
character’s
personality.
Consistent use of
evidence from the text
cited to explain the
choice of symbols
used in the mandala
3
Four significant
animals and/or objects
used to symbolize
character. Reasonable
choice of symbolic
meaning for each
color, animal, and/or
object for the
character. Attempt to
use symbols from the
story to represent
character.
Explanations for the
choice of colors,
symbols, and the
quote relate to the
story and represent
the character.
Some use of evidence
from the text cited to
explain the choice of
symbols used in the
mandala
2
Some significant
colors and animals
identified from the
story, choice of
symbolic meaning for
each color and animal
may relate to the
meaning of the story
1
Few significant colors
and animals identified
from the story, choice
of symbolic meaning
for each color and
animal inaccurate
Partial explanations of
the different choices
of colors and
symbols, implied
relationship between
symbols and
character.
Little use of evidence
from the text cited to
explain the choice of
symbols used in the
mandala
Incomplete/inaccurate
explanations of the
choice of colors and
symbols, may not
relate to the character
No evidence from the
text cited to explain
the choice of symbols,
or symbols do not
match the character.
Score____/4
Comments_____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Name__________________ Date__________ Period___
Introduction—Outline for essay portion of book report.
Interest Catcher (include title of book, author and brief summary)
Complex Sentence stating the main idea of your essay (occasion/position, however, conjuctive)
Thesis explaing symbols used to represent protagonist
1st symbol
2nd symbol
3rd symbol
4th symbol
Body Paragraphs
1 Symbol that represent protagonist’s personality_____________________________________
Detail that proves/explains why _____________________________________
Example of your detail from the book ______________________________
Another detail that proves/explains why _____________________________________
Example of your detail from the book__________________________________
Concluding sentence___________________________
2 Symbol that represent protagonist’s experience etc. ___________________________________
Detail that proves/explains why _____________________________________
Example of your detail from the book ______________________________
Another detail that proves/explains why _____________________________________
Example of your detail from the book__________________________________
Concluding sentence___________________________
3 Symbol that represent protagonist’s experience etc. ___________________________________
Detail that proves/explains why _____________________________________
Example of your detail from the book ______________________________
Another detail that proves/explains why _____________________________________
Example of your detail from the book__________________________________
Concluding sentence___________________________
4 Symbol that represent protagonist’s experience etc. ___________________________________
Detail that proves/explains why _____________________________________
Example of your detail from the book ______________________________
Another detail that proves/explains why _____________________________________
Example of your detail from the book__________________________________
Concluding sentence___________________________
5 Quote that reveals an important aspect of the protagonist’s personality, etc._______________________
Detail that proves/explains why _____________________________________
Example of your detail from the book ______________________________
Another detail that proves/explains why _____________________________________
Example of your detail from the book__________________________________
Concluding sentence___________________________
Name__________________ Date__________ Period___
Conclusion
Restate thesis explaing symbols used to represent protagonist____________________________
1st symbol
2nd symbol
3rd symbol
4th symbol
Different Complex Sentence____________________________________________________
Concluding statement (leaves the reader feeling satisfied/ tells the reader what to do with your
ideas.) ___________________________________________________________________