The following collection of worksheets will teach your students the different methods authors use in presenting characters to the reader, whether first-person, third-person, or some other viewpoint. These sheets will help your students define physical and emotional traits for each person in their story, and decide the best point of view for telling it. Sheets are also available for defining conflicts and relationships between the cast, as well as listing individual motivations (likes, dislikes, quests, back story, etc.). Example of this type of skill: Author Jim Butcher repeats important character descriptions-such as a favorite piece of clothing-throughout his books as a shortcut to help the reader envision the entire being.
Printable Character Development Worksheets
Click the buttons to print each worksheet and answer key.
Detailed Organizer
This organizer is so fully defined that you will be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available.
Physical Appearance and Life
This is so detailed that in some work this will not apply at all or at least spur the inspiration for some deep thought.
Point of View
Authors develop characters four different ways. The ways that an author has available to develop character depend on, and vary slightly in execution, depending on the point of view of the story.
Decide on Your Story
Use the worksheet below to plan how you will develop the main character in your story.
Author's Approach
Practice your skills by writing a sentence or two using each method to describe each character trait below.
Traits of My Character
We look at points in the story or phase adjustments where the characters are timid, nosy, inconsiderate. Over the course of the story we really get to know this person.
General Story Pieces
Tell us about the story and your character's role and mission in the story. What are their hopes, dreams, and major challenges?
Where My Person Stands
Using the table above for a model and guidance, complete the table below to generate ideas about how you will employ as many methods of developing a character as possible in your story.
If It Were Me?
Practice your ability to develop these characters by writing a sentence or two using each method to describe each being's traits. Having a solid track of what is going on will help you better understand what is going on.
Characterization
I do not appreciate what the narrator just said about me! Wouldn't a sentence like that get you started thinking about what is going on here.
Relationships
One aspect of developing a character is to clearly show the relationships that they have with other personalities in the story. Important aspects of a person is revealed by how he or she treats others.
6 Ways To Me
Plan how you will develop the each of the individuals in your story. Answer each question.
My Actor Me
Authors develop a by physical description, the casts words and actions, other known comments about the personality, and the narrator’s direct commentary about the main people.
The Outside
Use the stick figure as a start for drawing a picture of your character. Think about body type, hair, eyes, height, weight, coloring, distinguishing features, scars, birthmarks, etc.
Setting and Building
The setting of a story and the story’s cast are very closely related. While various personality traits can occur in almost any time or place, real or imaginary, a character’s attitudes, language, dress, and appearance must be consistent with the time and place in which a story occurs.
Leverage Your Setting
The setting of a story and the story's characters are very closely related. Your protagonist's relationship with the setting can contain conflict, and where there is conflict in a story, there are development and persona-building opportunities.
Circles of a Story
Choose a main character from the story. Write their name in the center of the page. Then find one instance of each method of characterization in the story.
Who Is That?
Answer the questions below to get a deeper understanding of your main character’s personality.
Brain Box
Now think about the story you plan to write. Authors develop the leads of a story by physical description. You will now help spill all your thoughts out to students.
How's it Look?
Birthmarks and scars can also be used symbolically to communicate additional information about a character to readers.
Ask Me Anything!
In this exercise you will work with a partner to brainstorm details about your main character.
Checklist
Have you taken advantage of all the different ways that you can develop a character in your story? Use the checklist below.
How To Develop A Character In A Story
Character development is one of the most fundamental aspects of writing a story. Your story, no matter how well thought out the plot, will always seem incomplete without exciting characters with strong personalities, weaknesses, backgrounds, and goals.
So, have you always wanted to be a writer and publish your own story, but you feel clueless when developing a character? No worries, read on to learn about all the essential characteristics a character should possess to ensure that your readers can connect with your story.
1. Establish Your Characters Motivations and Goals In The Beginning
Readers hate the most when a story keeps them guessing about a character's goals and motivations. Readers should be able to resonate with their personality right from the bat. Here are a few examples of these types of goals:
- Execute the king
- Stealing precious jewels
- Marrying the king's daughter
Sometimes it may get tricky to figure out your character's goals and motivations. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to nail this task:
- What is their goal?
- What are the their primary motivations?
- What risk are the characters willing to take to accomplish their goal?
- What might happen if the characters are unable to accomplish their goals?
2. Make Sure Your Character Has Imperfections
You must have noticed how most famous characters have strengths and weaknesses. For example, a character might be powerful and brave while also being reckless and hot-headed. Readers can connect with such a personality since they are imperfect, just like humans.
Coming up with characters with specific flaws and strengths will help you create a conflict while keeping the readers stirred. Additionally, creating a character that possesses weaknesses and strengths will also make the readers sympathize.
3. Every Good Character Has A Past
The key to developing a good character is to give it a history. Just how your past has played a role in where you are today. Your character should also possess these humanistic qualities. To successfully develop your characters through their back story, you have to ask yourself three questions:
- What details from the their past have played a significant role in who they are today?
- Does the character have any joyful memories?
- Do they have any traumatic or repressed memories?
4. Research Is Key
We cannot stress enough how important it is to conduct extensive research when developing a character. Your character should be unique and not fit the stereotype. They should stand out, and they should be believable.
Furthermore, character research will also help you craft a realastic personality that is true to their nature. For example, if you are writing about a character that lives in southern Texas and you have never set foot in Texas. By researching the mannerism and talking styles of Texas residents, you will be able to script them relevantly.
Wrapping Up
Whether you are writing a story as a hobby or you want to publish it for the world to enjoy, character development is something every writer should know to do. So, now that you have the recipe for developing a character?
Remember, establish motivations and goals, give humanistic traits, touch upon the past and carry out research, and you will quickly come up with unique characters for your next bestseller.