Describing characters: writing a round character

This is an engaging introduction to flat and round characters, taking students from appreciating powerful description to writing a round character description using creative prompts.

In this lesson, students learn about E.M. Forster’s description of flat and round characters and what these are. Students then read an extract from ‘Vanity Fair’, which has been adapted from the original to make it more accessible. After appreciating the range of techniques that Thackeray has used, students are introduced to other prompts that can be useful when creating a round character. Finally students work to write their own description.

Included with this lesson are a handout (two to a page) of prompts and a planning sheet that encourage students to think about explicit and implicit meanings in what they write.

The presentation is on a pale yellow background with sans serif font. It has a visual aid for students to track their progress during the lesson, and images are used throughout to reduce cognitive load.

Resources are in original form (PowerPoint/Word) and in pdf form.

This lesson requires no specific prior knowledge.