How To Write A Character Analysis

A strong character analysis will: identify the type of character it is dealing with. (A single character could be two or three type. Different kinds of characters are listed below.) identify the type of character it is dealing with. (A single character could be two or three type. Different kinds of characters are listed below.) describe the character. describe the character. discuss the conflict in the story, particularly in regards to the character’s place in it. discuss the conflict in the story, particularly in regards to the character’s place in it.

Consider... Is the character static or dynamic. Is the character static or dynamic. If the character has changed during the course of the story. Was the change gradual or rapid? Was it subtle or obvious? If the character has changed during the course of the story. Was the change gradual or rapid? Was it subtle or obvious? Are the changes significant to the story or are they a minor counterpoint? Are the changes significant to the story or are they a minor counterpoint? What was his/her motivation to change? What was his/her motivation to change? What situations or character encouraged the change? What situations or character encouraged the change? How does the character learn from or deal with change? How does the character learn from or deal with change?

Consider also HOW the author discloses the character By what the character ways or thinks. By what the character ways or thinks. By what the character does. By what the character does. By what other characters say about him/her. By what other characters say about him/her. By what the author ways about him/her. By what the author ways about him/her. The short form for this is STAR (says, thinks, acts, reacts). The short form for this is STAR (says, thinks, acts, reacts).

Look for these things within the creation of the character:

Psychological/ personality traits Do these characteristics aid in the character being consistent (in character), believable, adequately motivated, and interesting? Do these characteristics aid in the character being consistent (in character), believable, adequately motivated, and interesting? Do the characteristics of the character emphasize and focus on the character’s rolein the story’s plot? Do the characteristics of the character emphasize and focus on the character’s rolein the story’s plot?

Is the character ethical? Is he/she trying to do the right thing, but going about it in the wrong way? Is the character ethical? Is he/she trying to do the right thing, but going about it in the wrong way? Is the motivation because of emotion (love, hate) or a decision (revenge, promotion)? Is the motivation because of emotion (love, hate) or a decision (revenge, promotion)?Motivation

Behavior/Acti ons Does the character act in a certain way consistently?  Or is the character erratic?

Relationships With other characters in the story With other characters in the story How others see/react to him/her How others see/react to him/her

Weaknesses/F aults Typical tragic weakness is pride. Typical tragic weakness is pride. Weakness could be anything. Weakness could be anything.

Strengths/Virt ues One strength/virtue is being good in trying times. One strength/virtue is being good in trying times. Another strength/virtue is caring for family. Another strength/virtue is caring for family. Another strength/virtue is being smart. Another strength/virtue is being smart. Most protagonists have more than one strength/virtue. Most protagonists have more than one strength/virtue.

Moral Constitution Often a character will agonize over right and wrong. Often a character will agonize over right and wrong. If a character doesn’t agonize and chooses one or the other easily, that is also significant. If a character doesn’t agonize and chooses one or the other easily, that is also significant.

Character Analysis What it looks like

Basically... Introductory Paragraph Body Paragraphs Concluding Paragraph The following example is from the Langston Hughes short story “Thank You M’am“

The Introduction

The Hook Gain attention

Transition To author and work To author and work

Mention author and title Milddred Taylor Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Transition To thesis To thesis

Two or three sentences that describe the story well

Thesis Statement is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.

Examples The problem?

Example

The Body Hinted at in your introduction.

Topic Sentence Summarize the main idea of your paragraph. Indicate to the reader what your paragraph will be about. (Like a mini thesis statement just for that paragraph.)

Transition Into the supporting material Into the supporting material

Appropriate examples and correctly-cited quotations. Show the reader where to find that quotation.

Sufficient number of examples Remember the rule of 3.

Transition From examples to clincher. From examples to clincher.

Effective Clincher Mirror the topic sentence.

Think of a Paragraph As a hamburger

Be sure to have at least 3

Example What’s wrong with these?

“A” Paper Paragraphs “A” Paper Paragraphs

“A” Paragraph Analysis

Concluding Paragraph The one that sums it all up.

Summarize in different words the content of the essay. (Mirrors the intro)

Links the conclusion to the introduction And its hook.

Leaves a final original thought. But not one that sounds like an introduction to a new topic. So....

Sample of an “F” Conclusion

A “C” Conclusion

An “A” Conclusion

Tips for Writing In your first reference to the author, use his or her FULL name; after that, use this person’s last name only. Use an original title for your essay. It should indirectly say, “You want to read me first.” Choose apt quotations. Weave them into the paragraph. The final punctuation comes AFTER the citation.

Name English 8 Character Analysis Integrity Always “How you carry yourself, what you stand for--that's how you gain respect,” Papa told his daughter Cassie in Mildred Taylor’s Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, a story about the challenges of injustice.