Character Archetypes #1

Middle school students will become masters at decoding characters in their favorite stories after they complete this activity! In this worksheet, learners will explore six common character archetypes found throughout literature, including the hero, mentor, trickster, everyman, caregiver, and villain. Students will use a word bank to match each description to the correct archetype, then draw a symbol to represent it.

As they work, sixth- through eighth-grade students deepen their understanding of how authors use archetypes to shape stories and characters. This activity also encourages young writers to think more creatively about the characters they design, helping them move beyond clichés and bring their stories to life!

Want more practice with character archetypes? Don't miss this worksheet, Character Archetype Trading Cards. For students that want more of a challenge, see Novel Study: The Hunger Games: Character Archetype Trading Cards.