Character Traits: Reading Actions and Words

Figure out what a character is like from what they say and do.

A character trait is a quality that describes what a character is like inside, such as brave, selfish, patient, or curious. Authors rarely just tell you traits. Instead, they show them through a character's actions, words, thoughts, and how others react. Your job is to infer the trait and back it up with evidence. Read: 'When the new girl dropped her lunch tray, everyone laughed.

Kwame knelt down, helped pick up the apples, and said, 'Want to sit with us? '' The author never writes 'Kwame is kind', but his actions and words prove it. A strong answer sounds like this: 'Kwame is kind because he helps the new girl and invites her to sit with him, even though others are laughing. ' Notice the difference between traits and feelings: feelings change quickly, while traits last.

• 1A trait describes what a character is like inside.
• 2Infer traits from actions, words, and thoughts.
• 3Traits last; feelings change quickly.