Character Traits Ideas for Your Short Story

Whether you need to identify character traits to do a character analysis, or you are trying to come up with traits to develop a character for your own story, it is always helpful to see a list of examples as a tool for brainstorming. Character traits are the qualities of a certain person, whether they are physical or emotional. You determine some traits by observing the way a character looks. You infer other traits by paying attention to the way the character behaves. Need some practice? You can practice naming character traits by using one-word answers to describe a family member. You might describe your father as: tallcomicalmoodyfaithfulchubby If you think about it, you know some of these characteristics by looking at your father. Others, you only know from experience over time. The traits that make up a character are not always stated in a story; you will have to determine each characters qualities as you read, by thinking about that persons actions. Here are a few traits we can infer from actions: Jesse had no idea how deep the river was. He just jumped.Trait: reckless Amanda had no idea why everyone else was laughing as she strolled around the room in mismatched shoes.Trait: clueless Susan jumped every time the door opened.Trait: jittery If you are trying to write a descriptive essay about a character in a book, search through the book and place a sticky note in the pages that contain interesting words or actions involving your character. Then go back and read the passages again to gain some sense of personality. Note: This is when an electronic book comes in very handy! You can do a word search with your character name. Always ry to find an e-version of a book if you need to write any type of book report or review. List of Traits It is sometimes helpful to consult a list of examples to boost your own imagination. This list of traits may prompt you to identify a trait in a character youre studying. adventurousagitatedbear-likebeastlybelievablebroodingcharitablecleverclownishcomicalcrookedcuriousdaringdauntingdauntlessdeardejecteddemeaningdementeddetermineddevilishdodgydoom-filleddourdowncastdrolleasy-goingeccentricedgyegotisticalemaciatedenchantingenthrallingexceptionalextrovertedexuberantfastidiousfeeblefiendishfishyforgivingfrankfree-spiritedgabbygiftedgiganticglowinggo-gettergolden-hairedgood-naturedgoofygossipygrimgroundedgulliblehappyhatefulhauntingheroichigh-maintenancehomeyhumanitarianickyill at easeimpertinentimpulsiveincapableinconsiderateinsolentintrovertedjitteryjocularjollyjovialkindlankylaughablelazylethargiclistlesslonginglong-windedlovelylovingloyalmalleablemanlymannerlessmasterfulmeanderingmerrymirthfulmiserablemiserlymockingnervousneuroticomnipresentoptimisticorganizedotherworldlyoutlandishoverbearingoverwroughtpedanticphonypickypropheticprotectivequick-wittedquirkyquizzicalrecklessrudesadself-assuredsensitiveseriousshortshysillyskilledskittishsleepysmellysmold eringsneakysobersolemnsombersourspellbindingspiritualspunkysternstudioussugarythoughtfultogethertoughtoweringunbalancedunethicalunluckyunstableunyieldinguptightwackywarmheartedweirdwell-adjustedwhite-hairedwitheredworrisomewretched