Character Analysis Flashcards: Understanding Through Actions & Dialogue

People can claim anything about themselves, but their actions reveal truth. A character who says "I'm brave" but runs away isn't actually brave—their actions contradict their words. Trust what characters DO more than what they SAY about themselves. Actions under pressure especially reveal true character.

HOW someone speaks reveals as much as what they say. "Fine" said warmly shows genuine acceptance. "Fine" said sharply shows frustration. "Fine" said quietly might show resignation. The same words with different tones reveal different emotions and attitudes. Always consider emotional tone.

A motive is WHY a character does something (their goal or reason). A trait is a consistent personality characteristic (how they typically are). Example: A character helps someone. Motive = they want to be liked. Trait = they are helpful or compassionate. Motives drive specific actions; traits describe overall character.

Yes, but be careful not to overgeneralize. One helpful action shows the character was helpful in that moment. Repeated helping actions show they are a consistently helpful person. For SAT questions, match your inference to the strength of evidence provided. Single action = trait shown in that situation.

Stay proportional to the evidence. If someone checks their work twice, they're "careful" or "thorough"—not "obsessive." If someone helps once, they're "helpful"—not "saintly." If someone makes a mistake, they're "careless in that moment"—not "incompetent." Match inference intensity to evidence strength.

Trust actions over words. This is a fundamental rule of character analysis. If a character says they don't care but then stays up all night helping, their actions reveal they DO care. When words and behavior conflict, behavior reveals truth. Actions are harder to fake than words.

Base all inferences strictly on textual evidence. Don't assume characters think or feel the way you would. If the text shows a character smiling after receiving bad news, work with that evidence—even if it seems unusual. The SAT tests your ability to analyze what's written, not what "should" be true.

Most students achieve solid understanding in 4-7 days of 10-minute daily practice with these cards. You've mastered the skill when you can instantly identify what actions and dialogue reveal about character without second-guessing. Focus on building the action→trait and dialogue→feeling connection until it's automatic.