Character analysis is a key communication skill, and we use this skill to help us understand other people and how they act. Most adults need this skill to be able to communicate effectively in the workplace, which is why students practice analysing characters in the classroom.
This unit explains why students need to learn how to analyse characters, and demonstrates how this skill will be used when they enter the workplace.
Students often struggle to understand how analysing fictional and fantastical characters will help them in their lives. For that reason, this unit explains how the skills gained through practising character analysis on fictional characters in texts, novels, and film prepares us to analyse people in the real world.
The slideshow prompts students to think about when they may have already used this skill in the ‘real world’, and the video uses an example of Eli, the Social Media Manager to demonstrate how character analysis works in practice.
This unit is designed so that you can have a short, engaging conversation with your students about how this topic relates to life-after-school.
Encourage students to relate the content to their own lives and plans, and give students space to explore their ideas and identify any questions they may have which require further investigation.
We recommend that you use the Presentation Slides in class (online or face-to-face); you’ll start by introducing the topic, then watch a short video, and finally you’ll find slides with discussion prompts. There are also Teacher Notes on each slide that give you the background you need, as well as prompts and suggestions for the conversation.
You will need between 5 and 15 minutes to deliver the content on the slides, depending on the length of time you take for your group conversation.
If short on time, you can choose to only show the video, or use the slides but leave the question on the final slide as a self-reflection activity for students to consider in their own time.
You will need access to the internet to view the video and share the slides. All of the links you need are below – just click on the buttons to download to your device.
This unit asks students to connect times when they have been required to analyse people in real life with the skills they gain through studying fictional characters in the classroom. These activities ask students to extend their thinking and put their skills into practice through virtual work experience activities.
These activities complement the Discover & Discussion resource above, and we recommend they are used after students have had the chance to explore the topic.
You can also use these activities as stand-alone activities throughout your unit, as icebreakers at the start of class, or as extension work where appropriate.
You can use as many of these activities as you like, or none at all – it’s up to you and what is right for your students.
You will need access to a printer if you intend on printing any worksheets, otherwise you may upload the activities into your lesson plans or lesson management system in digital format.
Students experience what it could be like to work as a Social Media Manager and use their character analysis skills to analyse an audience for a brand.
