Archetype Characters Made Simple for Students

Archetype characters are those character types that tend to appear in many different stories. Even though their names, appearances and personalities might change, the role they perform in the context of the story is usually the same. 

Understanding archetype characters gives students a powerful tool for thinking about how stories are built and why certain character types reappear. To help your students explore some of the most common character archetypes found in children’s literature, Teach Starter has created this 8-page mini book. The book guides students through the process of analysing a character from a book they have recently read in the context of character archetypes, with each page featuring a different prompt or activity. These include:

• A title page
• Book information
• Character profile
• Climate
• Archetype identification
• Text evidence
• Character journey
• Archetype comparison
• Reflection

The booklet contains space for both written and visual information. By the end of the activity, students will have a mini booklet that not only demonstrates their understanding of character archetypes but also serves as a reference tool they can revisit in future lessons. 

Explore Archetypal Characters in Literature with Your Class

This resource works beautifully as part of a literacy unit or a novel study, giving you multiple opportunities to integrate it into your program. Some ideas include:

• Character/Characterisation Study – Use the mini book alongside lessons on protagonists, antagonists and supporting characters to show how archetypes shape plot development in a variety of genres.
• Novel Study – Have the students complete the mini book after reading a class text. Have students select a key character from the story, then use the mini book to explore and analyse the character in relation to broader character archetypes.
• Student Choice – Allow students to complete the booklet focusing on a character from a book they have read independently. Once finished, students could share these in small groups, comparing and contrasting their chosen characters and highlighting how different texts use similar archetypes.

Download and Create This Character Archetypes Booklet

Use the dropdown menu on the Download button above to access either the quick-print PDF or the editable Google Slides version of this resource. (Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides template before accessing it.)

To assemble the mini book, follow these simple steps.

1. Download the PDF version of the reader by clicking the Download button.
2. On your printer, select double-sided printing. Be sure to flip on the short edge.
3. Compile the pages, making sure the first page is at the bottom of your pile. 
4. Fold your collection of pages in half to make a book.

This resource was created by Kaylyn Chupp, a teacher and a Teach Starter collaborator.

Complement This Archetypes for Characters Resource

Looking for more activities to help your students explore narrative elements such as character, plot, setting and theme? We have more great teacher-created resources at your fingertips!

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