Character Traits and Motivation
Analyse character traits, motivations, and feelings using text evidence, and distinguish one's own point of view from that of the narrator or characters
What a learner can do afterwards
- Identify two character traits from a story and cite the specific actions or dialogue that reveal each trait
- Explain why a character made a particular decision by linking their motivation to events in the text
- Describe where one's own opinion about a character differs from the narrator's portrayal and explain why
The lesson
A character trait is a word that describes what a character is really like, like brave, honest, or stubborn. You cannot just guess a trait. You have to point to something the character said or did that proves it.
In a story, Marco gives his last sandwich to a hungry stray dog, even though he is hungry too. That action shows a trait: Marco is generous. The evidence is the sandwich he gave away.
Motivation is the reason behind a character's choice. To explain motivation, find an event in the story and connect it to what the character wants or fears. Ask yourself: what happened that made the character act this way?
Marco's little sister lost her lunch money that morning. That event explains why Marco skipped his own lunch and shared his sandwich. His motivation was helping his sister, not just being nice to a stranger.
The narrator might call a character's choice brave or foolish. You are allowed to have your own opinion about the character, as long as you explain it using evidence from the story.
Prove a trait with an action or line, explain motivation with an event, and know your own opinion can differ from the narrator's.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.