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Middle schoolers aren’t just reading about characters; they’re investigating their motivations, decisions, and the ways they grow throughout a story. They examine how events shape a character’s development and consider both positive and negative traits, often comparing characters to one another within the story. As they study these traits in ELA activities, they also start applying them to personal character education. 

Sometimes, finding the word for the exact trait can be challenging. Lists of examples of character traits 8th grade students commonly encounter can help them analyze the novel more clearly. Tools like graphic organizers and word lists add to the fun and make the entire adventure more exciting. 

Identify key examples of character traits for 8th grade novels

In novels like The Giver by Lois Lowry, students identify character traits, such as Jonas’s curiosity and bravery or Fiona’s kindness and obedience, and examine how these traits shape a character’s growth or stagnation. This analysis helps students understand why some characters develop over the course of a story while others remain unchanged. Providing students with a list of traits makes classifying characters simpler and supports deeper discussions about characters’ motivations and actions.

Differentiated Character Traits Adjective List
By Britty’s Bookshelf

Combine character traits with vocabulary growth through differentiated character traits lists. With three different lists, these words help your students think more deeply about the characters. 

Interactive Character Analysis Posters-100 Character Traits With Organizers
By Joanne Miller
Standards: CCSS RL.3.3, 4.3, 5.3

Teachers get access to 100 character trait posters to help students discuss different traits they notice in their novel’s characters, along with matching organizers. The bundle also includes an editable character trait poster for your novel study. 

Interpret characters’ emotional responses

Characters manage their feelings and experiences in different ways. Sometimes, they might be optimistic and brave like Auggie in Wonder by R.J. Palacio, or they might respond with fear or selfishness, like Jonas’s father in The Giver, who follows rules without questioning them. The list of emotional traits is vast, but these common traits are found in most 8th grade novels. 

• Empathetic
• Hopeful
• Anxious
• Resentful
• Patient
• Lonely
• Joyful
• Compassionate
• Arrogant
• Insecure
• Prejudiced
• Lazy 
• Cruel 

Uncover social character traits

Connecting with friends, family, and society is deeply rooted in a character’s personality and prejudices. For example, loyalty shaped Ponyboy’s relationships in both positive and negative ways with the Greasers and Socs in The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. This list includes common social character traits for 8th graders.  

• Supportive
• Shy 
• Outgoing 
• Protective
• Jealous
• Cooperative
• Domineering
• Respectful 
• Generous 
• Inclusive
• Competitive
• Manipulative

Analyze moral and ethical characteristics

Moral characters have a strong sense of right and wrong in their values and choices. They demonstrate personal integrity when confronting injustice, like Cassie in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor. On the opposite side of the coin, immoral characters might act selfishly or deceitfully, like Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, who prioritizes his own desires over others’ well-being. Ethical traits span both ends of the moral vs. immoral debate. 

• Unfairness
• Responsibility
• Betrayal
• Irresponsiblity
• Courage
• Principled
• Trustworthy
• Selfish
• Just
• Honorable
• Greedy

Identify intellectual character attributes

Characters reveal intellectual traits through how they learn and pursue goals. They may begin with hasty or impulsive decisions, like Brian in Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, but grow to demonstrate problem-solving and resourcefulness. Many 8th grade stories provide similar examples of characters’ intellectual growth.

• Curious
• Determined
• Resourceful
• Clever
• Imaginative
• Stuidous 
• Ambitious
• Inventive 
• Impulsivene
• Fustrate
• Persistent
• Short-sighted
• Forgetful
• Naive

Use graphic organizers to classify character traits in 8th grade

Character trait examples help students recognize what to look for in their books, while graphic organizers support deeper analysis of traits within novels. These resources align with CCSS Reading Standards for 8th grade, which require citing textual evidence, analyzing character development, and considering point of view. 

Character traits also connect to CCSS Writing Standards for 8th grade, where students apply their understanding in written work. This makes it easy to build them into your middle school writing skills daily schedule!

Character Traits Graphic Organizers
By Jadyn Thone

This resource includes 16 different character profile worksheets to help students analyze characters and includes a blank space for drawing. The various templates are designed to meet different learning styles. 

Characterization (STEAL) Character Traits Analysis | Lesson & Graphic Organizer
By Simply Teach
Standards: CCSS RL.5.1, 6.1, 7.1

In addition to three different graphic organizers, this resource includes a mini lesson and a common character traits list. It also has a characterization note page and an interactive foldable notebook. 

Character Traits by Lovin Lit
By Lovin Lit

The bundle offers teachers 18 different graphic organizers and differentiated worksheets for three grade levels. You’ll also be able to access the teacher’s notes and four interactive notebook activities. 

Reading Comprehension – Character Analysis (Novel Study)
By J Shannon Literacy

Dive deep into your character analysis studies in 8th grade through a comprehensive graphic organizer bundle. In addition to a novel study cover, you get protagonist and antagonist analysis, character tracer, and quote analysis. There is also a sheet to explore character changes. 

Access examples of character traits for 8th grade with TPT

Like the students in your school, characters come in all shapes and sizes in the books you read with your 8th graders. Examples of character traits give students a starting point for analysis and exploration. These resources, alongside other middle school literature resources from TPT, help students gain a deeper understanding of the reason behind why an author created a story.