DESCRIBING CHARACTERS

NOTE. The division into positive and negative qualities is relative and is made here only for convenience. Literary characters (especially round ones) may combine positive and negative qualities. A negative character may possess such qualities as “cautious” or “courteous”, which are basically positive, and vice versa, a positive character may be imprudent or careless, which are basically negative qualities. So, when describing a character, it’s helpful to look through all categories. Certain qualities (such as “experienced”, “emotional”) may be considered either positive or negative, depending on the interpretation, so they are classified here as “neutral”.

 

NEGATIVE QUALITIES

aggressive arrogant blunt brusque careless complacent crafty cruel cunning discourteous dishonest envious extravagant fastidious foolish

gloomy greedy grumbling gullible haughty hypocritical ill-mannered impolite impudent insincere lazy mean mediocre merciless narrow-minded

quarrelsome quick-tempered rude selfish shallow silly sly smug stupid subservient superficial tactless tight-fisted treacherous vain

POSITIVE QUALITIES

affectionate ambitious amiable artistic audacious brave broad-minded calm careful cautious charming cheerful circumspective clever conscientious considerate courageous courteous daring decisive determined diligent

easy-going even-tempered faithful frank freedom-loving friendly frugal gallant generous gifted hard-working honest independent industrious insightful intelligent judicious kind-hearted modest optimistic patriotic placid

polite reliable resolute resourceful sagacious selfless sensible sensitive sincere smart sober sociable sympathetic tactful talented thrifty tolerant trustworthy valiant well-bred wise witty

NEUTRAL QUALITIES

absent-minded blasé conservative down-to-earth eccentric emotional experienced fun-loving gregarious inexperienced

inquisitive jealous naïve observant obstinate old-fashioned peculiar perspicacious pessimistic pragmatic

rebellious relaxed reserved sentimental shrewd stubborn tense thick-skinned unpractical unsociable

 

 

LINKING YOUR IDEAS

Order of ideas: in the first place, firstly, secondly, finally

 

Cause and result: therefore, for this reason, so, as a result,

thus, consequently, hence

 

Comparison and contrast: likewise, however, nevertheless,

on the one hand/on the other hand, on the contrary

 

Giving examples: for example, for instance, such as

 

Addition: moreover, furthermore, besides

 

Summarizing: on the whole, to sum up, in short, in general

[*] Foreman, George – U.S. boxer

[†] baseball contest in America.

[‡] a standardized letter to deal with frequently occurring matters.

[§] “malicious + software” – software that is intended to damage or disable computers and computer systems.

[**] one of the UK’s leading retailers of clothing, foods and houseware. The company has 150 stores worldwide operating in 30 countries.

[††] from American Hairdresser, July 1893

[‡‡] a very large multiaxle lorry/truck often used for international cargo transportation.

[§§] Pseudonym of a webmaster.

[***] The state song of Florida named after the river flowing through the state into the Gulf of Mexico with many cotton and tobacco plantations in its valley.

[†††] (Port.) This lady wants to know what you are going to do with the fish.

[‡‡‡] (Port.) It’s for sale.

[§§§] (Port.) This lady wants to buy the fish. How much is it?

[****] the name of the ship.

[††††] the Pacific coast of North America.

[‡‡‡‡] Yale University drinking song.

[§§§§] This plan is primarily for analyzing fiction. Though sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between fiction and non-fiction (e.g. in essays, biographies)