Practicum Best Practices

10 April 2015

Character Alignment Chart

The character alignment chart is a 3x3 matrix that charts development of individual

characters over the course of a novel, or provides a snapshot of character personalities at a

specific moment in time. Character alignment charts are typically used to determine where

of superheroes/villains fall on the spectrum of good/evil in a story.

Example: Character alignment

chart of Marvel

superheroes/villains. The spectrum

runs from extreme (lawful) good, to

extreme (chaotic) evil.

Source (hi-res image):

http://i.imgur.com/iIMgJRg.jpg

Teacher instructions

Using a projector, display the character alignment chart of superheroes/villains on a

screen for all students to see. Provide one-line definitions of each spot on the matrix, and

ask students if they agree with the placement of the superheroes/villains on the chart.

Debate and ask students to justify any arguments that they have about placement of

characters.

Adaptation

I adapted the character alignment chart matrix to teach students about character

development in Lord of the Flies.