Creating Characters

Start with the mind maps

Several mind maps called Creating Characters bring together showing rather than telling, descriptive language and character archetypes. Start with one of these for an overview. Its branches include metaphors, similes and adjectives, alongside roles such as villains. Other maps with the same title also include heroes, sidekicks or victims.

As you explore, notice how the maps place descriptive choices alongside character roles. You can return to a branch when you want to focus on one approach.

Explore characterization

The Characterization mind maps offer another starting point. One looks at how a character's words, feelings, thoughts and actions help define them for readers. Another sets out direct and indirect characterization. Compare these approaches with the showing-not-telling branches in the Creating Characters maps.

The Short Story flashcards also cover direct and indirect characterization, as well as round, flat, static and dynamic characters. Use them after a mind map to go over the terms you have seen and explore further character types.

Look at character examples

Villain - A is a mind map focused on a villain, with branches for qualities such as mystery and aggression. There is also a note about Isabella Landon as a child, with sections on personality, appearance and background. Compare the kinds of details each resource gathers.

Connect and practice

Creating Characters is a section of Narrative, Descriptive and Creative Writing in Spanish language as a school subject. Use the resources here to explore character choices within that unit. There are no quizzes listed on this topic page, but a free account lets you make your own quiz. You could turn ideas from a mind map into questions, then return to the map as you study.

Choose a map or the flashcards and start exploring.