1. Character Traits A WebQuest for High School Resource Classes
Deborah Butler
August 14, 2007

2. Protagonist Antagonist Round Flat Static Dynamic Task
Introduction In the development of a story, there is a need for characters. As the story unfolds, each character reveals certain qualities called character traits. A character’s words, thoughts, and actions usually show these traits. There needs to be a variety of characters, so the reader can emphasize and understand the plot of the story. Characters may evolve as the plot develops. . Objective Students will meet the Kansas reading indicator , identify and describe different types of characters and analyze their development.
Protagonist
Antagonist
Round
Flat
Static
Dynamic
Task

3. Character Traits To use Dictionary
Character Traits To use Dictionary.com scroll through the words and click
generous
egotistical
elderly
stout
selfish
honest
persistent
active
ambitious
arrogant
bewildered
candid
conscientious
considerate
adventurous
crafty
domineering
lackadaisical
loquacious
jovial
languid
facetious
complacent
conceited
meticulous
determined
timid
ornery
Exit

4. Task Students will return to their English classes prepared to identify, describe, and analyze the various character traits found in their literature readings. Students will create a PowerPoint presentation.
Process
Click here character traits.
Click here types of characters.
Click here flash cards1., flash cards 2.
Click here quiz.
Click here PowerPoint presentation.

5. Character Traits Process
One can learn about character traits through what characters say about themselves in a literary or dramatic piece. Characters can be: vivid, funny, strong, weak, or villains.
Villains are interesting characters because the readers wonder when the other characters will catch them and out smart them. Villains and other characters display many qualities: envious, generous, kind, or lazy. “Sherlock Holmes” is a character who is considered a superior detective. “Shane” is a character who is a hero. He is compassionate, fearless, powerful, and humorous. “Lenny Small” is a weak character because he is mentally challenged, slow, and clumsy.
It is important to read carefully, so you can analyze what the author is saying about characters’ actions and thoughts
Process

6. Types of Characters Process
Protagonist: The main character, central, is the good one in a story or novel. The one who can adapt to new situations. Answer the question, “Whose story is this?” Usually a story has one, but a novel can have several protagonist characters.
Antagonist: The antagonist character fights against the hero, the protagonist, of a story or novel. The antagonist can be destructive, bad or evil. The antagonist can be a character, an animal, an inanimate object, or nature. An example of this is the whale in Moby Dick.
Round characters: They can recognize, change, develop, and adjust to situations. They are complex, have many sides, and touch lives at many points. They usually change in the story because they profit from experiences.
Flat characters: They do not change, develop, or grow in the story. They are the opposite of round characters. They usually have one or two traits and can be summed up easily. Example, Gollum in Lord of the Rings is a flat character because he is obsessed with one thing, the recovery of the ring. Some stories can have all flat characters, for example, Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
Dynamic characters: Characters that change and grow in a work of literature. They are round characters.
Static characters: Characters that remain the same throughout the story or novel. They are flat characters.
Process

7. Flash Cards
Protagonist
Antagonist
Round
Flat
Static
Dynamic
Process

8. Protagonist The main character, central, the good one in
a story or novel. The one who can adapt to
new situations. Answer the question,
“Whose story is this?” Usually a story has
one, but a novel can have several.
Flash cards

9. Antagonist The character fighting against the hero, the
protagonist, of a story or novel. They can be
destructive, bad, or evil. They can be a
character, an animal, an inanimate object, or
nature. An example of this is the whale in
Moby Dick.
Flash cards

10. Round They can recognize, change, develop, and
adjust to situations. They are complex, have
many sides, and touch lives at many points.
The characters usually change in the story
because they profit from experiences.
Flash cards

11. Flat They do not change, develop, or grow in the story.
They are the opposite of round characters. They
usually have one or two traits and can be summed
up easily. Example, Gollum in Lord of the Rings is
a flat character because he is obsessed with one
thing, the recovery of the ring. Some stories can
have all flat characters, for example, Christmas
Carol by Charles Dickens.
Flash cards

12. Dynamic Characters that change and grow in a work
of literature. They are round characters.
Flash cards

13. Static Characters that remain the same throughout
the story or novel. They are flat characters.
Flash cards

14. Quiz 1 a. round character b. static character c. dynamic character
A character that remains the
same throughout the story.
a. round character
b. static character
c. dynamic character

15. Click here and try again.

16. Correct!!!
Quiz 2

17. Quiz 2 Person or thing fighting against the hero of a story.
protagonist
static
c. antagonist

18. Click here and try again.

19. Correct!!!
Quiz 3

20. Quiz 3 A character who changes or grows in a work of literature.
dynamic character
static character
flat character

21. Click here and try again.

22. Correct!!!
Quiz 4

23. Quiz 4 These characters show many personality traits.
They change, develop, and
adjust to situations.
a. static characters
b. flat characters
c. round characters

24. Click here and try again.

25. Correct!!!
Quiz 5

26. Quiz 5 The main character of a story or novel. a. round character
b. antagonist
c. protagonist

27. Correct!!!
Quiz 6

28. Click here and try again.

29. Quiz 6 a. round character Characters constructed
around a single idea or
quality.
a. round character
b. flat character
c. protagonist

30. Click here and try again.

31. Correct!!!
Process

32. PowerPoint Presentation
In your PowerPoint presentation include the following:
Introduction (title, author, and theme)
Plot and setting
Specify characters (protagonist, antagonist, round, flat, dynamic,
and static).
4. Summary
PowerPoint, oral, presentation (rubric)
Conclusion

33. Introduction: title, author, and theme
Beginning 1
Developing 2
Accomplished 3
Mastered 4
Score
Introduction: title, author, and theme
Unclear, missing 2 elements, and not complete sentences
Complete sentences that does not apply to the story
Complete sentences that apply to the story
Complete sentences that apply to the story with evidence
Plot and setting
Unclear and missing an element
Complete sentences with misspellings and/or missing information
Complete sentences, thoughts, correct spelling, but has missing information
Complete sentences, clear thoughts, and information
Specify character types including the protagonist and antagonist
Mentions characters, but not character types
Mentions character types, but not the protagonist or antagonist
Mentions the character types with less than 3 errors in grammar and spelling
Summary includes all elements and no errors in spelling and grammar
Summarizes the story (rising action, climax, and falling action)
Summary is missing 1 or 2 elements
Summary is missing 1 element and has errors in grammar and spelling
Summary includes all elements and has less than 2 errors in grammar and spelling
Summary includes all elements and no errors in grammar and spelling
PowerPoint oral presentation and organization
Late, needed assistance in presenting, and not prepared or organized
On-time, prepared, but needed assistance in presenting
On-time, clear, loud, but needed some assistance in presenting
On-time, clear/loud voice, and organized with colorful graphics
Conclusion

34. Teacher Page Conclusion
Students, you have meet the Kansas reading indicator , identifying and describing
different types of characters, and you analyzed their development with your PowerPoint
Presentation.
Teacher Page

35. Teacher Page Web sites http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/2331
Character Traits