Character Archetype Trading Cards

Get students thinking critically and creatively about character archetypes in the novels they’re reading with this engaging reading activity! Middle school learners will use their knowledge of common character archetypes—such as the Hero, the Lover, and the Mentor—to design unique trading cards for the characters in whatever novel they’re currently reading. Using evidence from the text, students will choose six characters from their novel, determine the archetype each represents, create an illustration, and record the character's goals/motivation, strengths, weaknesses, and a memorable moment. Then they will cut out and assemble their one-of-a-kind trading cards! This resource makes a great alternative book report or end-of-novel assessment! For more detailed descriptions and examples of some common character archetypes, check out Archetypes in Modern Literature.