This book is a superb all-in-one guide to success GCSE English Language and English Literature - GCSE English 2003

Writing About Characters
Section Two — Writing Literature Essays

This character stuff seems obvious — but it's not. So make sure you read everything on this page.

Find Bits Where the Writer Describes the Characters

1) The writer will deliberately describe characters in a way that tells you what he or she wants you to think about them.

2) You need to find these descriptions of how they look or act.

Find Evidence For What They’re Like In What They Do

It's the same whether you're writing about a book, a play, or a poem — look at what people do, then write down what that says about them.

Work Out the Reasons Why Characters Do Things

When you're writing about what a character does, always say why they do it.

Working out what characters are like is VITAL to your essays

They really are vital. Does their character make you really believe in the plot and what's going on? Authors often make characters very complex, and you need to have lots ready to say about them.

Look At the Way Characters Speak

1) The way characters, including the narrator, speak tells you a lot about them.

2) This is true for poetry, plays and prose.

These things should be going through your head whenever you've got a characters question. You can't fail to pick up marks if you talk about them.

Look At How the Characters Treat Other People

You can tell a lot about the main characters by watching how they get on with others. It can reveal sides to their character that they keep hidden from the other main characters.

The way to prove what you know is to quote the bit that says so Evidence is no good whatsoever if you don't use it. Describe your character in as much detail as you can. Use all your bits of evidence — and plenty of quotes to back up everything you say.

Stories Tell You What Characters Think

1) Novels and short stories give descriptions of characters' thoughts and behaviour — the voice telling the story fills you in on what characters are thinking.

2) Pinpoint those bits, quote them, and say how they help answer the question.

First Person Narrators Can’t Always Be Trusted

Narrators can be tricky

Just have a look and see what's there in the text — you'll find something to write about. Before you get carried away, remember to think about WHO is telling you things, and whether or not you can trust them.