CHARACTERS
• The actors in a story’s plot
• People, animals, robots, or whatever
the writer chooses
• May be more than one main character,
particularly in a book.
© Presto Plans
THE IMPORTANCE
OF CHARACTER
- Characters help the reader relate to and
connect with the story.
- Characters drive the plot.
- Characters teach
the reader about
the human condition.
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© Presto Plans
TYPES OF CHARACTER
Protagonist- Antagonist
Dynamic - Static
Round - Flat
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Protogonist Antogonist
They often play • The antagonist
opposes, struggles or
the role of the
competes with the
hero or heroine. protagonist.
• They often play the
The protagonist role of the story’s
can be a "good" villain.
• Doesn’t have to be
character, but
the bad guy
does not always • Doesn’t have to be a
have to be. person
learns
something
© Presto Plans
Dynamic Static
• Changes during the • does not change
course of the
story • doesn’t learn
anything
• learns something
© Presto Plans
Dynamic Character
Example
At the beginning of the story, Jenny does not
appreciate the life that she has until a family
emergency causes her to stay at her aunt's house.
Things are much different at her aunt's house and
everyone who lives there appreciates everything
that they get, since they don't get very much.
When Jenny is finally able to return home, she has
a new perspective and a more appreciative
attitude.
Notice that Jenny didn't just change her shoes or
something little? She underwent a serious and
important change in the course of the story;
therefore, she is a dynamic character.
Static Character
Example
Mr. Hero was defending the streets of Urbanity
City during one of Despair-O's attacks.
Despair-O built an army of robot ninjas and was
using them to steal money and valuables. Mr.
Hero fell for one of Despair-O's tricks and was
captured; however, he soon devised a clever
escape trick, shut down Despair-O's robot army,
and captured the villain.
Did you notice that neither Mr. Hero nor
Despair-O make any significant character
changes throughout the course of the text?
This makes them static characters.
© Presto Plans
© Presto Plans
ROUND FLAT
• Round character is one • A flat character is one
who is complex and who is not complex
multi-dimensional. and only has one or
two basic qualities.
• A well-developed,
lifelike character with • An one-dimensional
realistic emotions, character that does
conflicting feelings, and not display emotional
multiple personality depth and has a
traits. single set of
personality traits.
© Presto Plans
Round Character
Example
Carrie doesn't know what to do. She thinks that
her friend Veronica may be getting abused.
Carrie keeps finding large bruises and marks on
her legs and arms. When she tries to talk to
Veronica about this, Veronica covers the marks
and tells Carrie that she can’t talk about it.
Carrie is concerned that if she doesn't do
anything, it might get worse, but she also doesn't
want to do anything to threaten her friendship
with Veronica.
Carrie demonstrates multiple, realistic sides to
her personality. She is emotionally conflicted.
This makes her a round character.
© Presto Plans
Flat Character
Example
Vince was exhausted from doing laps. His throat
was dry and scratchy and the summer sun
pounded down on him. He finally summoned the
courage to ask Coach Lewis if he could get a
drink of water and Coach Lewis laughed, "You
can get everyone some water, water boy." Coach
Lewis had a reputation for winning, but he also
had a reputation for doing whatever it took to win.
Coach Lewis is not a warm guy. We know that
he is tough, but we do not learn why. No internal
struggle with his feelings is revealed; therefore,
he is a flat character. © Presto Plans
Review
• All characters are either dynamic or
static, depending on whether they make
important changes.
• All characters are either round or flat,
depending on how emotionally
developed each is.
• A character can be either a protagonist,
an antagonist, or neither, depending on
whether they are the main character,
against the main character, or neither.
Juan wasn't technically supposed to be in this country. He
was considered by law to be an illegal immigrant, but Juan
didn't look at it that way. He wanted a better life for his
family, no matter what it took, so he worked three hard
jobs for minimum wage. He sent what money he could
back to his family. It was a hard and lonely life for Juan,
and it was only made harder by one of his bosses, Rick.
"Hey, Pablo, I need you to clean the toilets again." Juan did
not like that Rick called him Pablo, which was not his
name, but he had little choice but to accept this
treatment. "Andale amigo!" Rick shouted at Juan while
clapping. After hurrying to the washroom with the
janitorial supplies, he noticed that the toilets were, in fact,
still clean. Juan, however, did not bother raising the
argument with Rick, who would only find a different way
to make his life harder. While further cleaning the already
clean toilets, Juan wondered what had happened in Rick's
life to make him so hateful.
1
Who is the protagonist and who is the
antagonist?
Answer
Antagonist: Rick
Protagonist: Juan
2
Is Rick a dynamic character or a static
character?
Answer
Rick is a static character because he does
not make any significant changes in the
course of the story.
3
Is Juan a dynamic character or a static
character?
Answer
Juan is a static character because he does
not make any significant changes in the
course of the story.
4
Is Rick a flat character or a round
character?
Answer
Rick is a flat character because he
appears as a single-sided bully who shows
little depth.
5
Is Juan a round character or a flat
character?
Answer
Juan is a round character because of the
conflicts within his character: while Juan
is breaking the law, many readers would
be sympathetic to his reasons for doing
so. Also, instead of just hating Rick for
bullying him, Juan considers the causes of
Rick's feelings, which shows some
emotional depth on Juan's part.
The End