Grades 4-7

1. A character’s
Motives…

2. A character’s motivation
comes from any force love, fear, jealousy, ange
r –that drives the
character to act
in a certain way.

3. When you know the
reasons for a character’s
actions, thoughts, or
feelings,
you understand
his/her motives.

4. A character’s motivation
influences his/her actions.
The actions, in turn, reveal the
character’s
traits.

5. A character may be motivated
by
FEAR
GUILT
GREED
ANGER
REVENGE
PEACE
SUCCESS

6. QUESTIONS to ask about
characters:
• How does the character feel?
• How do other characters feel about the main
character?
• What does the character do?
• What does the character say?
• How does the character change in the
story?