A character analysis paper is not every student’s favorite essay. The word ‘analysis’ makes it a more complicated task for many. However, through this post, you will know what is character analysis, how to do a character analysis, and pro tips for writing a character analysis paper.
Let’s get on with it.
What is Character Analysis?
It refers to a systematic and careful evaluation of the traits, roles, conflicts, and experience of a particular character in a story. A character in this context is a person involved in a novel, film, or play.
Character description goes beyond looking at what they say or do in the story. It seeks a sixth sense to excavate the deep gold mines behind a character’s statement or role in the novel.
Why Is a Character Study Important?
From the character analysis definition above, we can derive several reasons why such a paper is crucial for any student. Here are a few top reasons that our experts find significant is analyzing a character:
- It helps the student think critically.
To unearth the different aspects of characters, you will have to ask questions and draw conclusions. By these, you will be able to think beyond the box.
- It helps you understand the story better.
Through character analysis, you will know why each character performs a particular role, and why? Understanding factors like age, size, ethnicity, and any other distinctive physical characteristics of a specific character will broaden your scope of the story.
- The story becomes real and more enjoyable.
By analyzing individual characters, you appreciate their part in the story and why they are unique. You will be able to put faces behind the names used in the play.
Therefore, a character analysis essay will do more than what meets the eye. It will help you read the story more and more to relate it to contemporary societal issues.
How To Analyze a Character: Types of Characters
A story will have different characters who contribute to its central theme. The uniqueness and role of each character form the skeleton upon which the story is built. Let’s look at the different types of characters to look at when writing character notes:
- Major: He/she is the center of the story’s action or theme. Like the heart pumps blood to all parts of the body, the primary character is the story’s nerve center.
- Minor: Also called a supporting character, this person makes a cameo appearance while advancing the author’s central theme. They are also responsible for minor pieces in the play.
- Protagonists: Like the significant character, the protagonist is the primary agent of the story who propels it forward while facing the most significant obstacles.
- Antagonists: They are the chief foes of the protagonists actively opposing them.
After understanding the different types of characters, we can now proceed to the character analysis essay outline.
Character Analysis Outline
It is necessary to go the extra mile. What I mean by this is that you have to do what others are not doing elegantly. I know you are asking, how? The answer lies in the lines that follow:
- Carefully read the whole story with an open mind.
- Pay attention to the situations that the character is involved in (conversations, confrontations, etc.)
- Narrow down on the specific character
- Identify their significant achievements in the story.
- How does he/she relate with and influence others in the story?
Do not confine yourself to a particular line of thought; instead, think broadly as you narrow down. The complexities and details of the characters should be your top priority. Avoid merely stating what is there in the character’s role or statements.
Now you are ready to begin writing your character analysis paper.
How To Write a Character Study
The character analysis essay format is a crucial component in attaining tip-top scores in this assignment. It is not your typical high school essay about your hobbies or best friend. It is an analysis, and therefore, some scientific rules have to be followed.
Below is the format of a character study:
- Introduction
In this brief section, inspire your reader to read the rest of your paper. The intro should have a short description of the character in question. Make it as meaningful and enticing as possible.
- Body
Once you have outlined the different ideas you wish to discuss the character, subdivide them into manageable parts. For instance, one paragraph can discuss the role of the character’s name in the story while the other can influence the character’s race to the other characters.
The following should offer you more ideas on what to include in the body:
- Lessons from the character
- Identify the character’s appearance, talking, and conduct
- How the character relates to others
- What motivates the character in his/her quest?
- What do others say about him/her?
All these will help you identify the values, traits, and inclinations of the character.
- Conclusion
Here, you can relate the body’s arguments to a real-life scenario in a concise and meaningful way. You may also choose to suggest how you think the character would have handled a particular situation. Remember that the conclusion should leave the reader meditating on your main arguments.
Are you now able to define character analysis and write one? You can use a character analysis example from our experts or affordable college writing help to complete your assignment today.
