How to Write a Character Analysis

This article was co-authored by Jamie Korsmo, PhD. Jamie Korsmo is a Ph.D. candidate in English at Georgia State University.

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Learning how to write a character analysis requires a thorough reading of the literary work with attention to what the author reveals about the character through dialogue, narrative, and plot. A literary analyst writes about the role each character plays in the work. The protagonist is the most important character, while the character who plays the villain in the conflict with the main character is called the antagonist. Great writers create characters with many facets, so character analysis should focus on these complexities. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you write your own character analysis.