The first and understandable choice to make before writing a characterization paper is which character or characters in a given work of literature will be your focus. The key to a flourishing paper is tapering your topic. Narrowing allows you to go intensely into your subject rather than skim the surface. Of course, if it's too narrow, you won't have sufficient to analyze. If your assignment allows it, you might evaluate two characters that are connected in some way, particularly for longer essays. Aside from that option unless your assignment requires more detain yourself to one character. After choosing a character to examine, brainstorm; list or cluster what you know about “your” character. What does the narration tell you? What does the dialogue reveal both your characters and other characters talking to or about your character? What do the character’s actions say about his or her beliefs and personality? How does your character relate to others? Is the character motionless, unchanging, or dynamic, changing and growing as events develop? Watch for things that puzzle you. As the University of North Carolina’s Writing Center indicates, If you found something peculiar in the story … chances are good that other people will have been puzzled. This makes for a high-interest paper.