Character Traits

A WebQuest for High School Resource Classes

Deborah Butler
August 14, 2007

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 characters 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 2.1.1., identify and describe different types of characters
and analyze their development.

Protagonist
Antagonist
Round
Flat
Static
Dynamic
Task

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

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
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Click here character traits.

Click here types of characters.
Click here flash cards1., flash cards 2.
Click here quiz.
Click here PowerPoint presentation.

Types of Characters
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

Flash Cards
Protagonist

Antagonist

Round

Flat

Static

Dynamic

Process

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

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

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

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

Dynamic

Characters that change and grow in a work

of literature. They are round characters.

Flash cards

Static

Characters that remain the same throughout

the story or novel. They are flat characters.

Flash cards

Quiz 1
a. round character
A character that remains the
same throughout the story.

b. static character
c. dynamic character

Click here and try again.

Correct!!!

Quiz 2

Quiz 2
a. protagonist
Person or thing fighting
against the hero of a
story.

b. static
c. antagonist

Click here and try again.

Correct!!!

Quiz 3

Quiz 3

A character who
changes or grows in a
work of literature.

a.

dynamic character

b.

static character

c.

flat character

Click here and try again.

Correct!!!

Quiz 4

Quiz 4

These characters show

many personality traits.
They change, develop, and
adjust to situations.

a. static characters
b. flat characters
c. round characters

Click here and try again.

Correct!!!

Quiz 5

Quiz 5
a. round character

The main character of a

story or novel.

b. antagonist
c. protagonist

Correct!!!

Quiz 6

Click here and try again.

Quiz 6

Characters constructed
around a single idea or
quality.

a. round character
b. flat character
c. protagonist

Click here and try again.

Correct!!!

Process

PowerPoint Presentation
In your PowerPoint presentation include the following:
1.
2.
3.

Introduction (title, author, and theme)

Plot and setting
Specify characters (protagonist, antagonist, round, flat, dynamic,
and static).
4. Summary
5. PowerPoint, oral, presentation (rubric)

Conclusion

Beginning

Developing

Accomplished

Mastered

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

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

Introduction:
title, author, and
theme

Plot and setting

Conclusion

Score

Conclusion
Students, you have meet the Tennessee reading indicator 801.8.6., Identify and analyze how
the author reveals character (i.e., what the author tells us, what the other characters say
about him or her, what the character does, what the character says, what the character
thinks).

Teacher Page

Teacher Page
Web sites
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/2331
http://www.fvdes.com/welch/skills/characters.htm
http://www.fvdes.com/welch/skills/furtherfictionnotes.htm
http://www.quia.com/mc/30222.html
http://www.geocities.com/educationplace/poe/gl.htm
http://www.humboldt.edu/~tdd2/Character.htm

Character Traits