Reading - Inferring Character Traits and Emotions

In truth, identifying character traits and emotions is, more often than not, a practice on inferring. Young readers will observe that authors almost never state out right if a character is obedient, responsible, excited, bored, etc. To be able to pinpoint the traits and feelings of a character, it is necessary to analyze what he or she does and says in the story.  

Trait VS Emotion
Before delving into any story, you must first be able to differentiate a trait from an emotion. This is to avoid any confusion when they start analyzing stories. 
* Traits - this refers to the character's personality. It is how the character acts through out the story. 
* Emotion - this refers to the character's temporary feeling. It is affected by what happens to him/her in the story.

Example: 
          Luisa likes helping her mother with the house chores. She wakes up early every day so she can assist her mother in cooking breakfast and preparing packed lunches for her younger brother and sister. After packing the food, she makes a cup of coffee for her dad. She makes sure to put two teaspoons of sugar and a dash of milk in it. This is exactly how her father likes his coffee in the morning. "Luisa, you are such a wonderful daughter," her mom would often say. "Thanks, mom. I enjoy helping you," she would answer with a huge smile on her face.

What are the traits shown by Luisa?

How did she feel (emotion)?

Here is a worksheet that you can use to practice differentiating traits and emotions:

English 3 - Character traits & feelings (drill)
A short worksheet on differentiating traits from feelings



Here are worksheets to practice identifying traits and feelings of characters:

English 3 - Inferring character's traits and feelings
A short story about a turtle and two ducks with questions on character traits and feelings

English 3 - Inferring character's traits and feelings
Short quiz on inferring character's traits and feelings based on given situations

English 3 - Inferring character's traits and feelings
Long worksheet on inferring character's traits and feelings based on given situations

English 2 - Inferring character's feelings
Short exercise on inferring the character's feelings based on the given situation, includes a drawing activity

English 3 - Inferring character's feelings
Worksheet on inferring character's feelings based on the story of a young boy's day