Dynamic and Static Characters

Track how a character changes, or stays the same, across a story.

A dynamic character changes in an important way during a story: a belief, attitude, or understanding shifts because of events. A static character stays essentially the same. Neither is better; static characters can provide contrast that highlights someone else's change. To prove a character is dynamic, compare evidence from the beginning and the end. For example, at the start of an original story, Elena tells her little brother, 'Go away, you ruin everything.

' After he helps her find her lost project during a frantic search, the final scene shows her saving him a seat and saying, 'You're on my team now. ' Her attitude toward her brother has changed, and the search is the cause. A strong analysis names the before, the after, and the event that caused the change. Be careful: a character who simply gets older or moves house hasn't necessarily changed inside. The change must be in thinking or feeling.

• 1Dynamic characters change inside; static characters don't
• 2Compare beginning and ending evidence
• 3Name the before, the after, and the cause