Flat and Round Characters

Types of Characters

As we read the novel Restart by Gordon Korman, we will encounter many different characters.

Authors use characters and plot to build their stories.  By understanding each of these, you can better understand the story and its main ideas.

Characters

A character is a person, animal, or other creature in a story.  The main character is the character that the writer focuses on the most.  The main character has to solve the story’s problem.

Characters have traits that tell the reader what kind of person they are.  A character may be honest, hardworking, shy, or sneaky, for example.  When the character deals with the problem of the story, he or she may have to change in order to move toward a resolution.  For example, a shy character may have to become brave to solve the problem.

• Flat characters do not have many character traits.

• Readers do not know a lot about flat characters.

Flat

• Round characters have many character traits.

• Readers know a lot about round characters.

​Round

Types of Characters~ Round/Flat

Multiple Choice

This character is a

• Flat Character

• Round Character

Multiple Select

A character that is only one-dimensional is a...

• flat character.

• round character.

Multiple Select

Main characters are usually...

• flat.

• round.

• Static characters do not demonstrate a significant change throughout the story.

Static

• Dynamic characters demonstrate significant change throughout the story.

Dynamic

Types of Characters~ Dynamic/Static

Multiple Choice

Which type of character demonstrates a significant change throughout the course of the story?

• Static

• Dynamic

• Flat

• Round

Multiple Choice

Which type of character does the reader not know a lot about?

• Flat

• Round

• Static

• Dynamic

• Prefix "ant" = against

• Character who goes against the protagonist, or main character.

• Usually thought of as "the bad guy"

Antagonist

• Prefix "pro" = in favor of, supporting

• Main character, "the good guy"

Protagonist

Types of Characters~ Protagonist/Antagonist

Multiple Choice

Who is the Antagonist?

• Luke

• Princess Leia

• Yoda

• Darth Vader

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of a protagonist?

• The best friend

• The villain

• Someone who likes to play tag

• The "good" guy

Multiple Choice

Who is Simba in the Lion King?

• Protagonist

• Antagonist

Multiple Choice

The main good guy; the hero

• antagonist

• point of view

• protagonist

• static 

Multiple Choice

The main bad guy in the story; the villain.  (Man vs. man) 

• point of view

• major

• antagonist

• dynamic

Multiple Choice

The Protagonist is

• The villain of the story

• Just a random character

• The hero of the story

• The narrator of the story

Multiple Choice

The Antagonist is?

• The hero of the story

• The narrator of the story

• Just a random person in a story

• The villain of the story

Let's Review Character Types!

Match

Match the following

• Round

• Flat

• Dynamic

• Static

• Protagonist

A character the reader knows a lot about; we are given a lot of details.

A character the reader does not know a lot about; we are NOT given many details.

A character that demonstrates a significant change throughout the story.

A character that does not demonstrate a significant change; remains relatively the SAME.

The main character; usually the "good guy"

• A character the reader knows a lot about; we are given a lot of details.

• A character the reader does not know a lot about; we are NOT given many details.

• A character that demonstrates a significant change throughout the story.

• A character that does not demonstrate a significant change; remains relatively the SAME.

• The main character; usually the "good guy"