Learning how to write character analysis requires an in-depth reading of literary works by paying attention to character imaging through dialogue, narration, and storyline. Literature experts will write about the role of characters in a literary work. The protagonist is the most important character in a story, while the antagonist is a bad-tempered character who has conflict with the main character. Great writers create characters with various aspects, so character analysis should focus on this complexity. Below are some steps to help you write character analysis.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Start Writing
Step 1. Select the character you will research
To analyze character as a school assignment, perhaps the character you are going to research has already been determined. However, if you choose it yourself, make sure that you choose a character with a dynamic type in the story. Flat characters (characters that have only one trait-either “good” or “evil”-and don't change) are not a good choice for character analysis.
- For example, if you're reading Mark Twain's novel Huckleberry Finn, you might choose Huck (the main character in the novel) or Jim (a runaway slave) to study because they are dynamic characters. Dynamic characters exhibit a variety of emotions, and their behavior tends to be unpredictable. They are also the ones who set the story line according to their actions.
- It's not a good choice to choose another character like the duke or the king, or the swindlers Huck and Jim met in Arkansas. The role of these characters is not that significant in the story because they don't show various emotions, and they are just static characters (this story needs a humorous side and a way for Huck and Jim to separate, so that Huck can say his trademark jargon at one point or another). The dukes and kings played a role in this.)
Step 2. Read the story imagining the character you are going to study
Even if you've read the story before, you'll discover new things as you reread the story because you now have focus as you read it. Pay attention to where your character appears and consider the following:
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How would the author describe the character?
For the example of Huckleberry Finn, you would think about how Huck is described as a “country boy,” but he struggles with big issues that have complex social implications, such as slavery and religion
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What relationship does this character have with the other characters?
Think about how Huck relates to Jim, a runaway slave, at the beginning and end of the story. Think about Huck's relationship with his drunk and abusive father, and how that has shaped his identity
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How can a character's actions affect the storyline?
Huck is the main character in the story, so all of his actions are very important. But what made his act special? How does Huck make different decisions from other people in the same situation? You could explain how Huck chose to save Jim from people who tried to return him to his owner because Huck believed that slavery was wrong, even though it was against the beliefs of most people
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What struggles does the character face?
Think about how Huck grew and learned many things along the way. In the beginning, he often did stupid things (such as faking his own death); but later, he was able to avoid the deceptions around him (such as when he tried to get rid of the dukes and the king of swindlers)
Step 3. Take notes
As you read, make notes that contain important elements that can enrich information about a character when you reread the story. Make notes in the margins and underline the important parts.
You can also take a small notebook with you while you're reading to help you jot down your thoughts about the character
Step 4. Choose a main idea
Gather notes about the character you are researching, and try to think of a main idea that connects them. This can be a thesis sentence in your character analysis. Think about the character's actions and motivations as well as the outcome of the storyline. The thesis sentence can reveal about how a character shows various problems as a teenager in the process of maturation, or about human nature as a good person. For example, the character you are researching shows that even someone who made a big mistake deserves forgiveness.
For the example of Huckleberry Finn, you could explain the hypocrisy of civilized people, because this novel is about a boy who is in a society that supports black slavery, but he decides to befriend Jim (a black slave). instead of treating him as a slave. Just like Jim, Huck was essentially "enslaved" by his own father. This situation makes Huck run away from home and see that Jim's struggle for freedom is the same as his own. Society sees Huck's escape as a natural occurrence. However, if Jim did it, society would consider it a criminal behavior. This contradiction is at the heart of the story
Step 5. Create a frame of mind
Once you've determined the main idea for you to research, create a brief outline of the material that supports your character analysis. Make a note of the places where the character shows characteristics that support your analytical thesis sentence. Also include evidence that deepens the character analysis.
Part 2 of 3: Writing Character Analysis
Step 1. Write an introductory paragraph for your analysis
While thinking about your analytical thesis sentence, prepare an introductory paragraph about the character you are studying and their role in the literary work.
Step 2. Describe the character's physical appearance
Describe what your character looks like, and explain how it affects the character's identity as a person. Be sure to quote or paraphrase a direct quote from the literary work.
Think about how Huck's shabby outfit describes his character. Discuss how Huck wears women's clothes to find out what's going on in town, and how this might influence your analysis of Huck's character
Step 3. Discuss the background of the character you are researching
If so, include details about the character's personal history (some of these details can be deduced). A person's personal history does affect his personality and his development, therefore, discussing the history of the character you are researching is an important thing to do. Where/when was the character born and raised? What kind of education did he have? How does the character's previous experiences influence what he or she does or says?
Discuss Huck's relationship with his father, Douglas the Widow, and Miss Watson (who cares for him). How can these characters influence Huck's character development? The contrast between Huck's drunken father and the conservative women who take care of Huck is an interesting series of social behaviors to study. Also determine where Huck's beliefs/actions lie in the chain
Step 4. Discuss the language used by the character you are researching
Research the language the characters use throughout the story. Does the character speak the same language or does his choice of language change from beginning to end?
Huck had an irreverent attitude as a child, and often the way he spoke was not liked by the Widow Douglas. Huck tried to obey Douglas and be good in church, but he often made mistakes and considered himself to be someone who was uncivilized, besides his actions and words were not as expected by Douglas
Step 5. Write about the character's personality
Does the character do something based on an emotion or reason? What value does the character show from his actions and speech? Does the character have goals or ambitions? Be specific and make sure to quote or paraphrase a direct quote from the literary work.
Huck Finn tries to obey society's rules, but he ends up acting on his own emotions. He decides to save Jim from his master even though it is against the law because he believes that Jim should not be treated as a slave. Huck decided on his own to do things that went against the general public's belief
Step 6. Research the relationship of the character you are studying with other characters
Think about how your character interacts with the other characters in the story. Does the character lead or follow other characters in the story? Does the character have friends or family? Use some examples from the story followed by your analysis.
Step 7. Describe how the character changed or developed over the course of the story
Most of the main characters will experience conflict throughout the story. Some conflicts are external (brought about by pressures beyond the character's control, or by the environment and the people within it), while others are internal (personal struggles the character experiences about his feelings and actions). Does the character develop into a better or worse character in conclusion? Characters that give a distinct impression usually change or develop in literary works that tell stories about virtue.
Huck's external conflicts depend on the events on the way to the river-the struggles on the way, the misfortunes he suffers along the way, getting caught up in various scandals and schemes, and so on. His internal conflict reaches a climax when he decides to free Jim from slavery. This is an important moment because Huck follows his own heart more than his social conscience
Step 8. Gather supporting materials or evidence for analysis
Make sure you provide specific examples from the text that support your opinion about the character you are researching. Include direct quotes to support your point of view. If the author of the story describes the character you are studying as sloppy, you should provide specific details to demonstrate the character's nature by quoting or paraphrasing directly from the text.
Part 3 of 3: Using Text Evidence in Your Writing
Step 1. Support your analysis with text evidence
You should include direct quotations from the text you are researching to support your views in the text analysis.
Step 2. Use the PIE method
This means that you have to create an “Opinion”, “Illustrate” the opinion with a quote from the text, and “Elaborate” how the quote supports your opinion.
For example, you could say that: Huckleberry Finn found a new identity when he became a raft hauler. He insisted by saying, "I am like a raft carrier because I can make such a great raft". This demonstrates the sense of freedom and pride he associates with his raft
Step 3. Insert the quote between your own words
A direct quote cannot be a single sentence in academic writing. Therefore, you should use your own words by inserting quotations directly into your sentences.
- Wrong: “I am “like” a raft carrier because I can make such a great raft.”
- Right: Huck insisted by saying, "I'm like a raft hauler because I can make such a great raft."
- Right: “I'm like a raft hauler because I can make such a great raft,” Huck insisted.
Step 4. Don't quote too much
The analysis should contain 90% of your own words, and 10% direct quotations from the text.
Tips
- Write a rough draft to gather your thoughts on character analysis before refining and putting it together.
- Use specific details from the text you are researching to support each of your opinions.
- Organize your analysis well. Write an introductory section that will interest the reader in your writing. Make sure that each paragraph is structured with a focus on the main topic. Combine your writing with a good conclusion.
- Each character also has a negative side. Analyze the negative side for a deeper perspective on their personality.
