Applicant Character Analysis

An Applicant Character Analysis provides a breakdown of the main traits and behavioral aspects of a fictional character. It helps to acquire a greater understanding of the life of the character, their personality, background, role and motivations. This type of analysis is usually done by writers, book reviewers, researchers and students.

What do you write in a Character Analysis?

There are usually different types of characters involved in a story which include protagonists or the primary character, the antagonist who opposes the protagonist, major and minor characters, dynamic, static or flat and stereotypical. No matter the type, the following guidelines will assist in analysing these characters:

• Inspiration – listing the reasons behind analyzing this character and why the character behaves in certain ways.
  
• Descriptions – explaining physical traits and understanding the personality of the character
• Actions – describing the motivations and actions of the character and how it affects other characters around them.
• Words – what the character says, their type of speech and how the communicate, whether internal thoughts or voicing out loud.
• Development – discuss how the character grows and changes during the story

Applicant Character Analysis format:

• Name of Applicant
• Please write out your answers in first person (In character). 
• All answers are to be based strictly upon information about your character supplied in the actual text (GC). 
• When this is not possible, you must create answers or comments from your imagination, provided they are logically related to information in the text.
• Be as specific as possible.
• Name and Title.
• Name of role./character:
• Title of script  (if applicable) :
• Name of author (if applicable) :
• Date first produced  (if known):   
• Date published  (if known):
• Setting.
• Dates, days and times the scenes take place:
• Specific geographic locations:   (city, state, country, planet.)
• Specific settings:  (living room, kitchen, porch, restaurant, yard, etc.)
• Physical Information.
• Character's age? Precise birth date: Exact birthplace: Zodiacal sign?
• Height:
• Weight:
• Color eyes:
• Color hair:
• Distinguishing physical characteristics?
• Left-handed/right-handed?
• Personal
• What does your character's name mean?
• Briefly note any given circumstances concerning the following:
• Cultural Identity:
• Health:
• Political Affiliation:
• Profession/Vocation:
  
• Religious Affiliation:
• Sexuality:
• Socio-Economic/Class:
  
• What three traits do you have in common with your character?
• What three traits about your character are most unlike you?
• Name an animal which in appearance, movement, and/or manner seems analogous to the character.
• What is it about this animal that most specifically relates to your role?
• Name a person close to you, family or friend, who seems to be a good deal like your character?
• Relationship?
• Why selected?
• Appearance
• Describe the character's general appearance.
• What, specifically, is he/she wearing in the scene?
• Relationships.
• What are your specific relationships to each of the characters in the script?
• Character History.
• List 5 to 10 events in your character's life prior to the beginning of the script.  Use short phrases.
• Examples of the kind of life events that might be included as major, are:
• Events of family   (Names of parents, siblings, how old were you when and if they died, etc.)
• Relationships (Significant relationships, marriages and children, divorces, etc.)
• Education (How much?  Where and what accomplished?)
• Keep in mind that these examples are not inclusive and that there is a great deal of information that you may include here.
• Previous Action.
• Briefly describe the major activities your character engaged in during the day of action.   Use short phrases.
• Before the play:   
• Before each scene:
  
• Desire.
• What is your character's main motivational force? 
• What does your character want most in life? 
• This must not be superficial needs, and need not be tangible.  This should relate to the other characters in the play (relationships).
• Will.
  
• This is your character's relative strength in attaining desires. 
• How strong or weak is your character's inner strength?
• strong enough to push to the full limit or will the character quickly compromise?
• Other.
• Add any other pertinent notes or comments about your character that you may not have covered above.  These might  include any idiosyncrasies, likes and dislikes that may also distinguish your character in some way.

By incorporating these elements, you can be sure of a good start. This Applicant Character Analysis template is ready-made, printable and customizable, which makes it easy to create your own look and feel, regardless of what industry you’re in. Just download this Applicant Character Analysis template in Google Docs, MS Word format and you are ready to go!