Character Development

Character development is showing the multitude of traits and behaviors that give the literary character the complexity of a

human being. The amount of character development affects the quality of the story:

• A flat character is not fully developed; we know only one side of the character.

• A round character is fully-developed, with many traits--bad and good--shown in the story. We feel that we know the character so well that he or she has become a real person.

Character development is a continuum with perfectly flat characters a one end and very round ones at the other. Every character lies somewhere on this continuum. The amount of change in a character over the course of the story also affects its quality:

• A static character is one who does not experience a basic character change during the course of the story.

• A dynamic character is one who experiences a basic change in character through the events of the story. This change is internal and may be sudden, but the events of the plot should make it seem inevitable.

Let’s try some!

Mrs. Armstrong 6th grade English Language Arts

Identifying Character Types

A short time ago in a classroom very close by……

our class studied static, dynamic, round and flat characters. using what you know, can you match the character with the correct character type. The definitions will be given if you need help.

May the force be with you!

Anakin Skywalker

Round Character

Dynamic Character Flat Character

Static Character

Definitions• Round character:  A round character is a fully-developed, three-

dimensional character who has been given multiple and sometimes contradictory traits.  The reader is often privy to such a character's thoughts and motivations as well as to descriptions of her/his physical description, actions, and dialogue.  The complexity of a round character approximates that of a "real" human being.

• Flat character:  A flat character is characterized by a single dominant trait; all other aspects of personality are excluded.  Flat characters are often stock characters, easily identified types such as "the jealous lover" or "the tricky servant."

• Dynamic character:  A dynamic character undergoes change or development over the course of the story; a dynamic character is changed by actions and experiences that occur in the story.

• Static character:  A static character is one who remains the same throughout the course of the story; things may happen to a static character, but nothing happens within the character her/himself.

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Anakin Skywalker can be characterized as a Dynamic character

You are correct!

Yoda

Round Character

Dynamic Character Flat Character

Static Character

Definitions• Round character:  A round character is a fully-developed, three-

dimensional character who has been given multiple and sometimes contradictory traits.  The reader is often privy to such a character's thoughts and motivations as well as to descriptions of her/his physical description, actions, and dialogue.  The complexity of a round character approximates that of a "real" human being.

• Flat character:  A flat character is characterized by a single dominant trait; all other aspects of personality are excluded.  Flat characters are often stock characters, easily identified types such as "the jealous lover" or "the tricky servant."

• Dynamic character:  A dynamic character undergoes change or development over the course of the story; a dynamic character is changed by actions and experiences that occur in the story.

• Static character:  A static character is one who remains the same throughout the course of the story; things may happen to a static character, but nothing happens within the character her/himself.

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You are correct! Yoda is a static character

Chewbacca

Round Character

Dynamic Character Flat Character

Static Character

Correct Chewbacca

Chewbacca is a flat

character

obi-Wan Kenobi

Round Character

Dynamic Character Flat Character

Static Character

Correct obi wan Kenobiis a Round character

You did a Great Job! Congratulations!

The END!

The End

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Definitions• Round character:  A round character is a fully-developed, three-

dimensional character who has been given multiple and sometimes contradictory traits.  The reader is often privy to such a character's thoughts and motivations as well as to descriptions of her/his physical description, actions, and dialogue.  The complexity of a round character approximates that of a "real" human being.

• Flat character:  A flat character is characterized by a single dominant trait; all other aspects of personality are excluded.  Flat characters are often stock characters, easily identified types such as "the jealous lover" or "the tricky servant."

• Dynamic character:  A dynamic character undergoes change or development over the course of the story; a dynamic character is changed by actions and experiences that occur in the story.

• Static character:  A static character is one who remains the same throughout the course of the story; things may happen to a static character, but nothing happens within the character her/himself.

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Definitions• Round character:  A round character is a fully-developed, three-

dimensional character who has been given multiple and sometimes contradictory traits.  The reader is often privy to such a character's thoughts and motivations as well as to descriptions of her/his physical description, actions, and dialogue.  The complexity of a round character approximates that of a "real" human being.

• Flat character:  A flat character is characterized by a single dominant trait; all other aspects of personality are excluded.  Flat characters are often stock characters, easily identified types such as "the jealous lover" or "the tricky servant."

• Dynamic character:  A dynamic character undergoes change or development over the course of the story; a dynamic character is changed by actions and experiences that occur in the story.

• Static character:  A static character is one who remains the same throughout the course of the story; things may happen to a static character, but nothing happens within the character her/himself.

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