Finding character traits
Character Analysis and Traits
Characters, and real-life people, have unique attributes called traits. Have your students use the following list of character traits as a guideline when writing book reports. Don’t stop with this list; you can probably think of many more terms to describe the characters.
|
Trait-Positive |
Trait-Negative |
|
Attitude |
|
| accepts authority, loyal, devoted | rebellious |
| accepts what’s given | ignores, rejects what’s given |
| affectionate | distant, cold, aloof |
| aspiring, ambitious, motivated | self-satisfied, unmotivated |
| candid | closed, guarded, secretive |
| caring | uncaring, unfeeling, callous, insensitive |
| change ~ accepts, embraces | rejects change |
| cheerful | cheerless, gloomy, sour, grumpy |
| considerate, thoughtful | inconsiderate, thoughtless |
| cooperative | uncooperative, unhelpful, combative |
| courageous | cowering, fearful |
| courteous | rude, impolite |
| decisive | indecisive |
| devoted | uncommitted, uncaring, hostile |
| determined | indecisive, unsure |
| does what is necessary, righteous | does what is convenient |
| perseveres, endures | relents, gives up |
| enthusiastic | unenthusiastic, apathetic, indifferent |
| expansive | kept back, tight, constricting |
| faith in life | suspicious |
| faith in oneself | lack of faith in self |
| faith in others | distrusts others |
| flexible | inflexible, rigid, unbending, stubborn |
| forgiving | unforgiving, resentful, spiteful |
| focused | unfocused, scattered |
| freedom is given to others | authoritarian, controlling |
| friendly | unfriendly, distant, aloof, hostile |
| frugal, thrifty | wasteful, spendthrift |
| generous | stingy, miserly, selfish |
| goodwill | ill-will, malice, hatred |
| grateful | ungrateful, unappreciative |
| hard-working | lazy |
| honest | dishonest, deceiving, lying |
| humble | arrogant, conceited, ego-centric |
| interested | indifferent, uncaring |
| involved | complacent, indifferent |
| not jealous | jealous, envious, covetous |
| kind | unkind, cold, cruel, mean |
| mature | immature |
| modest | vain |
| open-minded, tolerant | narrow, closed, small-minded, intolerant |
| optimistic | pessimistic |
| perfectionist | allows imperfection |
| persistent, sustaining | fleeting, unsustaining |
| positive | negative |
| practical | impractical, not viable |
| punctual | late, not on time |
| realistic | unrealistic, impractical |
| reliable | unreliable, undependable |
| respectful | disrespectful, rude, impolite |
| takes responsibility | blames others |
| responsible | unreliable, undependable |
| responsive | unresponsive, unreceptive |
| self-confident | lack of self-confidence, insecure |
| self-directed | directed by externals |
| self-disciplined | undisciplined, unrestrained, indulgent |
| high self-esteem | low self-esteem, low confidence |
| self-giving | self-centered |
| self-reliant | dependent |
| selfless | selfish |
| sensitive | insensitive, indifferent |
| serious | frivolous, silly, trivial |
| sincere | insincere, dishonest |
| social independence | social approval required |
| sympathetic | unsympathetic, unfeeling |
| systematic | unsystematic, disorganized, disorderly, random |
| takes others’ points of view | insists on their own view |
| thoughtful towards others | thoughtless, inconsiderate, insensitive |
| trusting | suspicious, mistrusting |
| unpretentious | pretentious, affected, ostentatious |
| unselfish | selfish |
| willingness | unwilling, reluctant, recalcitrant |
| work-oriented | convenience first |
Finding character traits
To determine character traits, students should ask themselves these questions. They should take notes as they read:
- What does the character say and do?
- What does the character think and feel?
- How does the character look?
- What do the other characters think of the character?
- How does the character make me feel?
Notice that:
- Character traits are descriptive adjectives.
- Authors may not directly state the trait; you need to infer it!
Understanding character traits help us to understand the story! We know. . .
- Why the characters say the things they say and act the way they do.
- Why the characters think the way they think, or why they have certain beliefs.
- Why the characters interact with other characters the way they do.
- We can better predict what the character may do next.
- We can make inferences and conclude events in the story while we read.
Don’t confuse emotions with character traits.
Have students think about their OWN character traits!
Developing positive character is vital! Ask your students: Do you have these character traits?
Responsibility
Being accountable in word and deed. Having a sense of duty to fulfill tasks with reliability, dependability, and commitment.
Perseverance
Pursuing worthy objectives with determination and patience while exhibiting fortitude when confronted with failure.
Caring
Showing an understanding of others by treating them with kindness, compassion, generosity, and a forgiving spirit.
Self-discipline Demonstrating hard work controlling your emotions, words, actions, impulses, and desires and giving your best in all situations.
Citizenship
Being law-abiding and involved in service to school, community, and country.
Honesty
Telling the truth, admitting wrongdoing. Being trustworthy and acting with integrity.
Courage
Doing the right thing in the face of difficulty and following your conscience instead of the crowd.
Fairness
Practicing justice, equity, and equality. Cooperating. Recognizing the uniqueness and value of each individual within our diverse society.
Respect
Showing high regard for authority, other people, self, and country. Treating others as you would want to be treated. Understanding that all people have value as human beings.
Integrity
Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values. Being honest, trustworthy, and incorruptible.
Patriotism
A love for and loyalty to one’s country.
Copyright 09/12/2012
Edited on 04/25/2023
Reference
“Character Traits.” CharacterEd.Net – Character Traits. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2017.
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