As students read, a storyboard can serve as a helpful character reference log. This log (also called a character map) allows students to recall relevant information about important characters. When reading a novel, small attributes and details frequently become important as the plot progresses. With character mapping, students will record this information, helping them follow along and catch the subtleties which make reading more enjoyable!
For this character map, try using “OSCAR” so that students can analyze multiple aspects of a character.
| DEFINITION | EXAMPLE | |
|---|---|---|
| O |
Other Character's Comments
What do other characters say about the character? |
“‘I don’t like it,’ muttered an old woman, as she hobbled into the meetinghouse. ‘He has changed himself into something awful, only by hiding his face.’” |
| S |
Speech
What does the character say about others or themselves? How can we infer meaning and traits from what a character says? |
“‘It is but a mortal veil - it is not for eternity! O! you know not how lonely I am, and how frightened, to be alone behind my black veil. Do not leave me in this miserable obscurity forever!’” |
| C | Physical Characteristics
What does the character look like? What descriptive words are used to describe them? |
“Though reckoned a melancholy man, Mr. Hooper has a placid cheerfulness for such occasions, which often excited a sympathetic smile where the livelier merriment would have been thrown away. There was no quality of his disposition which made him more beloved than this.” |
| A | Author's Attitude
How does the author feel about this character? |
The narrator highlights Mr. Hooper’s sadness at how his veil separates him from friendship and makes him feared among the townspeople and, especially children. Yet, his call to the higher duty of wearing the veil outweighs his loneliness. |
| R | Reader's Reaction
How do you, as the reader, feel about the character? |
The way that Mr. Hooper is described makes him sound odd; however, he also seems very sad. The veil separates him from everyone, including his fiance, and he dies without any living relatives around him. |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a character map for the major characters.
Encourage student collaboration by assigning each OSCAR category to a small group. Groups discuss evidence from the text and share their findings with the class, helping all students deepen their understanding of character traits through multiple perspectives.
Divide students into five groups, one for each OSCAR letter. Each group locates specific quotes and examples from the story that fit their assigned category, then prepares a short summary.
Have each group present their findings. Lead a discussion by prompting students to make connections between categories and to consider how each aspect shapes their opinion of the character.
Ask students to add new details or insights from the group presentations to their personal OSCAR character maps. This reinforces active listening and critical thinking about character analysis.
Invite students to write a quick reflection on how discussing OSCAR categories in groups gave them a deeper or different perspective on Mr. Hooper. This helps students internalize the benefits of collaborative analysis.
OSCAR is a character analysis strategy that stands for Other Character's Comments, Speech, Physical Characteristics, Author's Attitude, and Reader's Reaction. It helps students examine a character from multiple perspectives for deeper understanding.
Teachers can guide students to fill out an OSCAR chart for each major character. Students record quotes and observations about what others say, the character's own speech, physical traits, the author's tone, and their personal reactions to gain insights into character development.
Character mapping helps middle school readers track traits, motivations, and changes in key characters. This makes it easier to understand complex stories, remember details, and engage more deeply with the text.
Start by identifying major characters and choosing visual representations. Encourage students to use color coding, fill in each OSCAR category with text evidence, and discuss their findings to build comprehension and analytical skills.
In character analysis, OSCAR stands for: Other Character's Comments, Speech, Physical Characteristics, Author's Attitude, and Reader's Reaction.