English Language Arts and Reading.2.8.B

The student is expected to

describe the main character's (characters') internal and external traits;

multiple genres TEKS talk image

Knowledge and Skills Statement

Multiple genres: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking using multiple texts--literary elements. The student recognizes and analyzes literary elements within and across increasingly complex traditional, contemporary, classical, and diverse literary texts.

Ask students to complete a multiple-choice assessment.

  • What adjective could be used to describe the main character?—list four adjectives and allow students to choose the one that fits best
  • What does __________ (character) do to show she is ___________ (adjective)? Leave this as an open-ended question or give four options.
  • The character said, __________________. What in this sentence shows that the character is ______________ (adjective)? Give four options.
  • Give a description about the character, and then ask students to choose an adjective that shows the character traits. Give four options.
  • Give a description of the external traits of a character and ask students to circle the name of the character being described.
  • Name three words to physically describe _________ (character). 
Character traits are valued aspects of a person's behavior or a description of the character's appearance. Character traits are often labeled with descriptive adjectives. Internal traits are the qualities or behaviors of a character (e.g., ambitious, bossy, jealous, lazy, smart, outgoing). External traits are traits that you can see. They are traits that describe what the character looks like (e.g., tall, big, freckled).