Why Use Character Analysis Graphic Organizers in Your Classroom?
Why Characters Feel Real and Why It Matters
“When writing a novel, a writer should create living people; people, not characters,” Ernest Hemingway once said.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Characters are truly the reason we fall in love with a story. Indeed, the credibility of the entire plot depends on how they are portrayed—whether they feel realistic, likeable, and strike a chord with us. If their story resonates with ours, we become invested. Consequently, this is why using character analysis graphic organizers can be so valuable in the classroom—helping students break down characters as if they were real people, understanding their motivations, flaws, and growth throughout a story.
How Writers Develop Characters as Real People
For example, in a recent interview about her creative writing process, JK Rowling has said “I really know my characters, we have an understanding. They don’t misbehave and I don’t put them through too much hell.” [Link; On Writing Part One JK Rowling’s interview]. In other instances, the author has confessed to having multiple mini-series and micro-novels about each of her characters which she intends on never publishing. Authors treat their characters as if they know them as real people and this allows us to relate so closely to Harry, Ron and Hermione in the way we did. JK Rowling is a testament to the extent to which an author can take Hemingway’s idea seriously. The secret to the success of writing a character is to know them so intimately as if they were truly alive.
Character Analysis Graphic Organizers: A Tool for Deeper Understanding
Since characters are the most human aspect of a plotline, teaching character analysis can be a great opportunity to get students talking about literary concepts and ideas in a way that is meaningful and not just “technical”. Moreover, discussing characters and their life stories encourages students to employ empathy and draw connections to their own lives, often subconsciously, leading to engaging class discussions.
With this in mind, what’s the first step?
Step-by-Step Guide: Using Character Analysis Graphic Organizers Effectively
Step 1 - Get to Know the Character
First and foremost, creating living, breathing characters requires delving deeply into their minds, hearts, and roots. Students should take detailed notes as they read, focusing on evidence from the text that illuminates the character’s personality and choices. This immersive approach doesn’t just help students understand the character—it makes them feel like they know the character personally. By encouraging them to explore why characters act the way they do, they begin to see characters not as static words on a page but as dynamic individuals with depth and complexity.
To guide students in this process, it’s essential to use tools that foster close reading and analysis. For example, using a Character Analysis Template as part of the reading process enables students to engage deeply with the text, highlighting significant details about the character’s traits, motivations, and development.
Step 2 - Create a Character Profile
Once students have built a solid foundation of understanding, they can move to the next stage: crafting a detailed character profile. This involves synthesizing their notes to create a clear, organized portrait of the character. The profile should delve into the character’s traits, motivations, relationships, and how they evolve throughout the narrative.
For instance, consider a character like Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. What drives him to defend Tom Robinson despite knowing the backlash he’ll face? What does this reveal about his values? Exploring these aspects helps students not only connect with the story but also gain insight into universal themes like justice, morality, and human courage.
The Best Character Analysis Graphic Organizers for Middle and High School
If you’re teaching character analysis with your middle or high school students, take a look at my Character Analysis using Graphic Organizers for Any Novel or Short Story.
The best kind of character analysis graphic organizers treats characters as real people, just like authors do, and helps us understand their motivations, struggles, and growth, fostering deeper empathy and stronger connection.
For teachers looking to take character exploration even further, consider integrating writing assignments or essays that challenge students to argue for or against a character’s actions or decisions. Pairing these with scaffolding tools, like essay guides and additional analysis stages, helps students develop persuasive writing skills while deepening their understanding of literary elements.
Next Steps: Turning Character Analysis into Strong Essays
Once students have deeply analyzed a character, the next challenge is transforming their insights into a well-structured essay. Writing about literature requires clear organization, strong thesis statements, and well-supported arguments—this is where graphic organizers for essay writing become invaluable.
Check out my Character Analysis and Essay Writing Pack for scaffolded writing worksheets for brainstorming, developing and writing a first and final draft of a character analysis essay. Perfect for classes starting out with or improving their literary essay writing skills!
From Character Analysis to Essay Writing: Structuring Strong Literary Essays
Graphic organizers for essay writing provide a clear framework for structuring ideas, developing arguments, and writing with confidence. Whether students are crafting an expository essay, a literary analysis, or a five-paragraph essay, these resources will guide them through the process.
If you’re looking for step-by-step resources to guide students through the essay-writing process, check out these helpful posts:
- Example Expository Essay: A Worksheet Activity – A ready-to-use worksheet that helps students understand how to structure an expository essay.
- Outline for a 5-Paragraph Essay (Grades 6-12) – A simple yet effective outline template to help students organize their ideas before writing.
- How to Teach Essay Writing with Graphic Organizers – A comprehensive guide to using graphic organizers for every stage of the writing process.
By integrating essay writing graphic organizers into your lessons, students can bridge the gap between literary analysis and strong academic writing, making their essays more coherent and impactful.
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