Character Trait and Character Analysis

Character Analysis & Implied Character Traits

Multiple Choice

Characterization is the process of revealing character traits. 

• True
• False

Multiple Choice

Indirect Characterization is...

• the author showing you a character's traits
• the author telling you a character's traits

Multiple Choice

Direct Characterization is...

• the author telling you a character's traits
• the author showing you a character's traits

Characters, like people, have both POSITIVE and NEGATIVE traits.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a negative character trait?

• creative
• cooperative
• adventerous
• cruel

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a positive character trait?

• lazy

• creative

• dishonest

• forgetful

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a negative character trait?

• polite
• loyal
• obnoxious
• trustworthy

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a positive character trait?

• ungrateful
• bossy
• mean
• respectful

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a negative character trait?

• hardworking

• kind

• unpleasant

• friendly

Multiple Choice

Which of these helps to determine a character's traits?

• the character's actions

• the character's thoughts

• the character's words

• what other characters think about them

• all of the above

We characterize using S.T.E.A.L.

• Speech

• Thoughts

• Effects on others

• Actions

• Looks

Multiple Choice

Name the element of STEAL:

His collar was popped up and his top two buttons were undone. His gold chains were enormous and clattered against each other.

• Speech

• Thoughts

• Effect on others

• Looks

Multiple Choice

Name the element of STEAL:

He walked around the room like a cheetah. He surveyed the area for potential game and stalked them like a pro.

• Effect on others

• Actions

• Looks

• Speech

Multiple Choice

Name the element of STEAL:

"She was, like, totally weirding me out. I mean, like, she was such a dork."

• Looks

• Thoughts

• Actions

• Speech

Multiple Choice

Name the element of STEAL:

Why would she do that to me? I didn't even want to sit next to her and she just attacked me. I hate the way that she controls everything, I'm such a loser.

• Thoughts

• Effect on Others

• Looks

• Actions

Strong v. Weak Character Traits

Using high level "middle school" words

Multiple Choice

Name that trait:

Having a strong desire to succeed

• Conscientious

• Ambitious

• Diligent

• Enthusiastic

Multiple Choice

Name that trait:

Displaying great care in the outcome of one's work

• Persistent

• Loquacious

• Conscientious

• Dauntless

Multiple Choice

Name that trait:

Hard working, showing a lot of effort

• Enthusiastic

• Persistnet

• Diligent

• Gregarious

Multiple Choice

Another word for "brave, fearless"

• determined

• persistent

• resilient

• courageous

Multiple Choice

Another word for "feeling sympathetic for someone else's pain or hard times"

• pessimistic

• optimistic

• compassionate

• nice

Multiple Choice

Another word for "steady persistence in a course of action especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement"

• determined

• resislient

• generous

• compassionate

Directions: Read the (brief) passages below. Then choose the best trait that describes the character's personality.

Multiple Choice

Jason is an excellent accountant who works full time for his best friend's company. A larger accounting firm contacts Jason and offers to pay him twice what he makes if he will work for them. Jason thanks them for their offer, but declines. He doesn't even tell his friend that he received the offer. What character trait does Jason BEST demonstrate?

• Loyal - He declines the offer and doesn't even tell his friend about it.

• Hardworking- He works hard and he gets offered more money.

• Cautious - He does not accept the job offer.

• Adventurous- He accepts the higher job offer and will get more money.

Multiple Choice

Eric's car broke down in the woods and his phone wasn't getting a signal. He used his car antenna as a spear and caught fresh salmon. He started a fire with sparks from his car battery, and he ate the cooked salmon while waiting for help. What character trait does Eric BEST demonstrate?

• Fun-loving- Eric loves to have adventures.

• Helpless- Eric has no clue what to do in a crisis.

• Resourceful- Eric uses the resources he has: antenna and car battery- to make the best out of a bad situation.

• Daring- Eric is brave and doesn't ask anyone for help and can do everything alone.

Multiple Choice

After coming home late from a party, Mae's father questioned her. She wanted to tell him that she was studying at a friend's place and lost track of time, but she told him the truth instead: she was at a party. What character trait does Mae BEST demonstrate?

• Humble- She admits to her father that she was wrong to go to the party.

• Imaginative- She fabricates an answer for why she went to the party.

• Honest- She tells the truth to her father even though she wants to lie.

• Mischievous- She is a troublemaker for going to the party.

Multiple Choice

Michael has clothes all over the floor of his bedroom. Underneath the clothes on his floor is a pizza box with crusts in it. Underneath the pizza box are pieces to a boardgame that Michael never put away. Michael takes a seat on his unmade bed with his shoes on and plays video games all night. What character trait does Michael BEST demonstrate?

• Dreamer- Michael is not engaged with reality because he loves video games.

• Messy- Michael does not clean up after himself, and has leftover food and clothes on his floor.

• Rude- Michael does not engage with his friends.

• Spoiled- Michael has everything done for him so he doesn't have to work.

Multiple Choice

Andy saw his neighbor struggling to get his lawnmower running, so Andy went over to his neighbor's house and filled up his lawnmower with gas. When it still wouldn't start, Andy lent him his lawnmower. What character trait does Andy BEST demonstrate?

• Bossy- He thinks his neighbor should use his lawnmower only.

• Helpful- He is kind and offers help with fuel for the lawnmower and later his own lawnmower for his neighbor to use.

• Heroic- Andy saved the day and played the hero when he saw his friend in trouble so that he could get praise.

• Persistent- Andy did not give up when things got tough and kept thinking of solutions for his neighbor's struggles with the lawnmower.

Multiple Choice

When vandals burned down the orphanage, Ms. Cleary started a fundraising campaign and donated $5,000 of her own money. After nine months of hard work from Ms. Cleary and her team, the funds were raised and the orphanage was rebuilt. What character trait does Ms. Cleary BEST demonstrate?

• Outgoing- Ms. Cleary likes to be involved in others' lives.

• Generous- Ms. Cleary gave her own money, her time, and worked hard for the orphanage.

• Selfish- Ms. Cleary wanted all the credit for saving the orphanage.

• Thoughtful- Ms. Cleary weighed the options and made the best decision to raise money for the orphanage.

Multiple Choice

The teacher told the students that they were not to start testing until everyone received all testing materials. The teacher went on to explain that the test booklet was to remain sealed until he had read through all the directions. Immediately after receiving the test booklet, Chris, a student, raised his hand and asked if he could start the test. What character trait does Chris BEST demonstrate?

• Hard-working: Chris wants to make sure he begins working on the test immediately.

• Confident: Chris is sure he can do well on the test.

• Sly- Chris wants to start the test before the other students.

• Absent-minded: Chris wasn't listening to the teacher when the teacher explained the testing procedures.

Multiple Choice

Katie's mom came home from a long day of work and noticed that the entire house had been cleaned. Mom figured Katie must have cleaned it. The strangest thing was that Mom did not even ask Katie to clean. Then, Katie's mom found a note on the counter from Katie asking for permission to sleep at her friend Heather's house. Katie's mom smiled. What character trait does Katie BEST demonstrate?

• Energetic- She had the energy to clean the house for her tired mom.

• Proud- Katie wanted to show her mom that she could help.

• Creative- Katie wants to go to her friend's house for a sleepover and knows she can convince her mom if she does her mom a favor.

• Persistent- Katie works hard to convince her mom to let her go to a sleepover after her mom says no at first.

Multiple Choice

Orson sat on the couch. He wanted to change the television station, but the controller was all the way at the end of the couch by his feet. Orson sort of scooted toward it and attempted to grab it with his feet. The controller fell and landed several feet away from him. Orson quit trying to change the channel and just watched whatever was playing. What character trait does Orson BEST demonstrate?

• Methodical- using several methods, Orson gets what he wants- he changes the TV channel.

• Reckless- He knocked the remote on the floor in his attempt to reach it.

• Selfish- He wants to change the channel to something he likes instead of just being happy with the current program.

• Lazy- He is too lazy to sit up and get the remote properly and when he fails he doesn't try again and settles for a boring program.

Multiple Choice

It was Halloween and Valerie was dressed as Princess Rosemary from her favorite TV show, The Princess Club. As Valerie was collecting candy, she noticed another little girl wearing a Princess Rosemary costume. Valerie began rolling around on the ground and screaming about how she wanted to be the only Princess Rosemary. Valerie's tantrum continued long after the other Princess Rosemary vanished from sight. What character trait does Valerie BEST demonstrate?

• Even-tempered: Valerie kept her cool when she saw the other girl in the Rosemary costume.

• Spoiled: Valerie wants to be the only one in the Rosemary costume and hates that she has to "share the spotlight" with another girl.

• Confident: Valerie knows that she looks the best in the Rosemary costume which is why she wants to be the only one wearing it.

• Stubborn: Valerie does not want to give in to the other girl in the same Rosemary costume and is determined to be the only girl in the costume.

Multiple Select

Betty's friends accidentally broke one of the teacher's iPads. Her friends wanted her to lie but she decided telling the teacher would be the right thing to do.

• friendly

• honest

• selfish

• rude