Creating relatable characters

Definition

Creating relatable characters involves crafting individuals in a story that audiences can identify with, empathize with, or see reflections of themselves in. This process includes developing their backgrounds, motivations, flaws, and desires in ways that resonate emotionally, making the characters feel real and approachable. The goal is to engage viewers by showcasing the human experience through these characters, enhancing emotional investment in the story.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Relatable characters often have flaws and vulnerabilities that mirror real-life human experiences, making them more accessible to the audience.
2. Well-rounded characters typically possess distinct goals and desires that drive their actions throughout the narrative.
3. Using universal themes, such as love, loss, or ambition, helps create connections between characters and audiences.
4. Character diversity in personality traits, backgrounds, and experiences can enhance relatability by reflecting different perspectives in society.
5. Creating tension between a character's desires and their circumstances can foster engagement and relatability as audiences root for their success.

Review Questions

• How can creating relatable characters enhance audience engagement in a story?
  • Creating relatable characters enhances audience engagement by allowing viewers to see themselves in the characters’ experiences and emotions. When characters are crafted with realistic traits and challenges, audiences are more likely to form emotional connections. This connection makes the stakes of the story feel personal, encouraging viewers to invest time and energy into the narrative as they care about the characters' outcomes.
• What role does backstory play in making a character relatable, and how can it be effectively integrated into a story?
  • Backstory plays a critical role in making a character relatable by providing context for their motivations, fears, and desires. By integrating backstory effectively through flashbacks, dialogue, or character reflections, writers can reveal how past experiences shape current behaviors. This depth allows audiences to empathize with the character's journey and understand their decisions on a deeper level.
• In what ways does empathy contribute to the process of creating relatable characters, and how can writers cultivate this quality in their storytelling?
  • Empathy contributes significantly to creating relatable characters by allowing writers to capture authentic emotions and experiences that resonate with audiences. By putting themselves in their characters' shoes and considering how they would feel in similar situations, writers can craft nuanced portrayals that reflect real human struggles. Cultivating empathy involves researching diverse experiences, listening to different voices, and being open to various perspectives, which enriches storytelling and fosters deeper connections between characters and audiences.

Related terms

Character Arc:

The transformation or growth a character undergoes throughout the story, usually resulting in a new understanding or perspective.

Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, which is crucial for creating characters that audiences can relate to.

Backstory: The background information about a character's life before the events of the story, which helps explain their motivations and actions.