Character Radars

Compare characters on a scale

Compare up to six characters, rated on the same six traits. The labels are shared — type a trait on one radar and it appears on all of them — so the comparison is always fair.

One set of labels, every character. You cannot flatter one character by choosing kinder traits.

The overlaps are the interesting bit. Two characters with the same shape are worth talking about.

Prints six radars on one page. With your trait labels already on them.

Rate them on the whiteboard · printing the sheet is free

The sheet it prints

The printable character radars sheet — six labelled radar grids on one page.

How do you compare characters on a scale?

You rate every character against the same set of traits, out of ten, and compare the shapes that come out. Character Radars puts one small chart per character on a single page, all scored on identical traits, so the comparison is fair and the differences show at a glance.

Why compare characters this way?

Because it makes a whole cast visible at once. A child can tell you about one character; asked how three of them differ, they usually fall back on the plot. Identical axes turn that into something they can see — two characters with almost the same shape, and one that is nothing like either.

What is the difference from the single radar chart?

The radar chart goes deep on one character, with room to write a reason beside every score. This goes wide across several. Use the single one to teach the skill, and this one once they can do it.

How do you run it on the whiteboard?

Agree the traits as a class before you score anybody, and do not change them afterwards — the whole point is that every character is measured against the same five things. Then take one character per group and bring the shapes together at the end.

How do you make it harder or easier?

To start, two characters and three traits. Then the full six charts. To stretch a class, include a character nobody has strong feelings about — a minor one — because scoring them properly needs evidence rather than impression.

From the classroom

Groups are what make this work: one character each, then bring the sheets together. Done individually it is six times the same task and children lose interest by the third chart. The other thing to watch is the traits drifting — a group quietly renames brave to strong and their shape no longer compares with anyone else's. Write the five on the board and leave them there.

Try it now

Give each group one character and the same five traits, then put all six shapes up together. The odd one out is the conversation.