C_ _ _ _ _ _ _ R _

CHARACTERS
_E___N__
SETTINGS
D__L___
D IALOGUE
_L__
PLOT
TH_ _ _
THEME
 Characters are the people and animals that make things happen in fiction. Characters
are individuals in the story whose thoughts and actions move the events forward.
They are the imagined persons presented and involved in the plot. Each character
should have their own distinct personality, age, appearance, beliefs, socio-economic
background, and language.
S c i e n c e Te c h n o l o g y E n g i n e e r i n g A r t s M a t h e m a t i c s
 Types of Character based Types of Character based
on Role: on Quality:
a. Protagonist h. Dynamic/changing
b. Antagonist i. Static/unchanging
c. Deuteragonist j. Stock
d. Tertiary k. Symbolic
e. Love interest l. Round
f. Confidant
g. Foil
Character role refers to the part that one plays in the story. As
you probably know, the most important role in any story is the
protagonist. This means all other roles stem from their
relationship to the protagonist. These types define how
characters interact and affect one another. Some of these roles
can overlap.
 Character quality has to do with what kind of character
someone is. This doesn’t refer to their temperament, such as
being nice or mean, but rather their nature within the story, such
as being dynamic or static. These types tend to define narrative
purpose in a story.
 The protagonist is the main
character in fiction and the one
driving the story. Most of the
action centers on the
protagonist and he or she is the
one the readers are meant to
care about the most.
 This character undermines,
thwarts, battles, or otherwise
opposes the protagonist and
other characters. Antagonists
play an important role in
fiction. They are the major
source of conflict.
 Most stories have a secondary
deuteragonist or group of
deuteragonists. Deuteragonist is a
character who’s not exactly in the
spotlight, but pretty close to it.
Deuteragonist is also known as the
sidekick. This character is often seen
in the company of the protagonist —
giving advice, plotting against their
rivals, and generally lending a
helping hand.
 Tertiary characters are not
important enough to agonize
anything or anyone. They flit in
and out of the main character’s
life, perhaps only appearing in
one or two scenes throughout the
book.
 This love interest is typically a
deuteragonist, but not
exclusively a deuteragonist.
Readers recognize a love interest
by the protagonist’s strong
reaction to them, though that
reaction can vary widely.
The confidant can be considered
as one of the most profound
relationships the protagonist has
in fiction. Confidants are often
best friends, but they may also be
a potential love interest or even a
mentor.
A foil is a character with personality
and values that fundamentally
clashes with the protagonist. This
clash highlights the protagonist’s
defining attributes, giving us a better
picture of who they truly are. Foil
characters often have an antagonistic
relationship with the protagonist, but
they are not usually the primary
antagonist.
 A dynamic character changes
throughout the story. They often evolve
to become better or wiser, but
sometimes they can devolve as well.
Some villains in fiction are made
through a shift from good to evil or vice
versa. The protagonist of the story
should always be dynamic and most of
the deuteragonists should be as well. In
the course of the character’s journey,
these changes should come subtly and
naturally.
 A dynamic character changes
throughout the story. They often evolve
to become better or wiser, but
sometimes they can devolve as well.
Some villains in fiction are made
through a shift from good to evil or vice
versa. The protagonist of the story
should always be dynamic and most of
the deuteragonists should be as well. In
the course of the character’s journey,
these changes should come subtly and
naturally.
 These are characters that don’t
change. Many static characters
are simply flat. However, certain
kinds can serve a larger purpose
in a story. These static figures
tend to be unlikable, such as
Cinderella’s stepsisters and
Harry Potter’s aunt and uncle.
 These are characters that don’t
change. Many static characters
are simply flat. However, certain
kinds can serve a larger purpose
in a story. These static figures
tend to be unlikable, such as
Cinderella’s stepsisters and
Harry Potter’s aunt and uncle.
 Stock characters aren’t necessarily flat
either, though writers have to be careful
with them. Stock characters are familiar
figures that appear in stories time after
time. These characters are the chosen
ones, the joker, or the mentor. The trick
in using this type of character is to not
just rely on their archetypal features.
When planning a character, writers
might start with a stock, but they have to
embellish and add other unique elements
to give them depth.
 Stock characters aren’t necessarily flat
either, though writers have to be careful
with them. Stock characters are familiar
figures that appear in stories time after
time. These characters are the chosen
ones, the joker, or the mentor. The trick
in using this type of character is to not
just rely on their archetypal features.
When planning a character, writers
might start with a stock, but they have to
embellish and add other unique elements
to give them depth.
 A symbolic character is used to
represent a wide and depth concept or
message. This character usually ties into
the overall message of the book or
series. This type must also be used
sparingly or at least subtly, so the reader
doesn’t feel like the symbolism is too
heavy-handed. As a result, the true
nature of a symbolic character may only
be fully understood at the very end of a
story.
 A symbolic character is used to
represent a wide and depth concept or
message. This character usually ties into
the overall message of the book or
series. This type must also be used
sparingly or at least subtly, so the reader
doesn’t feel like the symbolism is too
heavy-handed. As a result, the true
nature of a symbolic character may only
be fully understood at the very end of a
story.
 Round characters are fully developed
characters as opposed to flat characters. Flat
characters are drawn with only surface facts
and details. A round character is very similar
to a dynamic one. They both typically
change throughout their character arc. The
key difference is that readers can perceive
that the round character is nuanced (subtle
shades of meaning and expression) and
contains multitudes even before any major
change has occurred. The round character
has a full backstory, complex emotions, and
realistic motivations for what they do.
 Round characters are fully developed
characters as opposed to flat characters. Flat
characters are drawn with only surface facts
and details. A round character is very similar
to a dynamic one. They both typically
change throughout their character arc. The
key difference is that readers can perceive
that the round character is nuanced (subtle
shades of meaning and expression) and
contains multitudes even before any major
change has occurred. The round character
has a full backstory, complex emotions, and
realistic motivations for what they do.