Visual Character Analysis

Grade Levels

7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade

Course, Subject

English Language Arts

Related Academic Standards

CC.1.2.7.C CC.1.2.7.C

Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text.

CC.1.3.7.C CC.1.3.7.C

Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact and how setting shapes the characters or plot.

CC.1.3.8.H CC.1.3.8.H

Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from traditional works, including describing how the material is rendered new.

E07.A-K.1.1.1 E07.A-K.1.1.1

Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences, conclusions, and/or generalizations drawn from the text.

E07.A-K.1.1.2 E07.A-K.1.1.2

Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.

Expand

Description

This is a character analysis activity that is a quick way to assess students' understanding of characters in text as well as other characters' perceptions of that character.

This activity can complete independently, in pairs, or in a small group. Students can use pictures from magazines, clip art, or draw their own version of the character in the middle of the page, and then identify quotations and words surrounding the character. The teacher can also provide a template if time is limited.

See the template and sample attached in the Sample section below.

Student Directions

Using the text, identify some things the character says that reveal his/her personality, beliefs, and motivation.
Select three quotations and record them in the three spaces at the top of the page.
Think about what other characters say or think about your character. Find three quotations from the text that reveal how other characters perceive your character.
Copy the lines into the "thought bubbles" on the edges of the sheet.
Think about the character and come up with three adjectives to best describe the character.
Record these below the character.
In the large box, record one word to summarize the character's role in the story.

Rubric

Objective	1	2	3	4
Students will analyze and evaluate the development of characters and their actions.	Student is able to identify things the character says and what others say/think. The work is broad and lacks insight.	Student is able to identify things the character says and what others say/think. Student is able to determine one word that best represents the character.	Student work is complete and thorough. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the character and his/her motives.	Student work is complete, thorough, and insightful. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of character development.

See attached for a "printer friendly" version.

Char Analysis Rubric.pdf

Samples

Please review the following samples.

Character Activity.pdf

Macbeth Example.pdf

Visual Character Analysis