How to Write a Good Character: 7 Positive Character Traits

Positive character traits define a good character. A good character’s core values, the things they fundamentally believe in and fight for, have beneficial effects on those around them. A good character comes in many forms—a superhero, an honorable lawyer, a single mother, or a boy wizard—but regardless of their role, their list of traits is comprised of good qualities that emotionally connect them with their audience.

Being good requires having more than one good character trait. A good character possesses a number of positive traits, as well as strong moral principles that benefit the universe they exist in. Some examples of good character traits are:

1. 1. Dependability: A dependable character makes a good leader, giving others someone reliable they can trust. A good character is someone who is always there to support the important people in their life, and doesn’t break their promises. They show up for their friends and family, and are always there when they’re needed.
2. 2. Kindness: Doing nice things for others without an expectation of anything in return is a good trait that shows an admirable brand of selflessness, setting an example and becoming a role model for others. Kindness does not have to mean your character is weak, either (Mary Poppins is an example of a character who was kind and caring, but stern and forthright in her execution).
3. 3. Empathy: A good character is empathetic in nature—they have the ability to relate to those around them. Their ability to put themselves in another’s shoes makes them compassionate and considerate, qualities that makes the character more relatable to the audience.
4. 4. Courage: Courageousness takes on many forms, and whether it’s a final showdown between the good character and the bad character, a parent going back to school, or a suffragette leading a movement, people admire those who will brave any adversity, and stand up for what they believe in.
5. 5. Integrity: Good characters do the right thing, exuding enough self-control to make good decisions on behalf of others—regardless of the cost to themselves. They consider the implications of their actions and how they will affect those around them, showing a high level of self discipline in order to stay true to their values.
   
6. 6. Self-awareness: A good character is honest about who they are and what they want—however, their humility keeps them grounded, and aware of their limitations. They have no qualms about expressing their authentic self, and do not let their ego impede their ability to be good.
7. 7. Affable: An affable character is easy to talk to, and always willing to listen. They get along well with others, put other characters at ease.

There are a number of famously good characters depicted in a countless number of films and literature. Some classic examples are:

1. 1. Jim, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Jim is loyal to Huck, and does whatever he can to protect him. Jim is intelligent and kind, often serving as a voice of reason. His actions are always selfless, and motivated by his desire to be a good person and friend.
2. 2. Dorothy Gale, Wizard of Oz. Dorothy is caring and good to animals. She’s desperate to help others, and will do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of those around her. Naive at first, Dorothy becomes more assertive, enduring obstacles with her newfound friends and helping them achieve their goals before she reaches her own.
3. 3. Peter Parker, Spiderman. Peter Parker is an exemplary good character. He’s honest, he’s loyal, he’s brave, and he always tries to do the right thing. He puts himself in danger in order to rescue others, and outwardly cares about his friends and family. He’s a hero people believe in, and who always shows up to save the day.
4. 4. Severus Snape, Harry Potter. Although his outward crassness and hostility toward the protagonist are considerably negative character traits, his underlying motivations betray a much nobler side to him. Beneath his rough exterior, Snape is a brave and loyal character with a strong moral compass, all traits that ultimately make him one of the good guys.

Writing good characters is about more than just giving them a slew of benevolent character traits. Good characters should still have layers, and opportunities to evolve. Below are some ways you can write better good characters:

• When building characters, define their core values—make it clear what is important to them, and what they represent. Knowing their motivations for defending their beliefs makes it easier to understand their journey and appreciate their goodness, which provides us with hope they will succeed.
• No matter how good you make a character, there should always be room for self-improvement, and proper character growth comes from understanding who your characters are and who you want them to become. That’s not to say that static characters cannot be good characters, but when good characters are dynamic, the audience can engage with the character’s arc and root for them to change. Static characters need to have very interesting personalities and a significant amount of character depth in order to hold audience members’ attention in the same way. A dynamic character is a complex one, and gives your good character the layers they need. Learn more about dynamic and static characters in our guide here.
• When your characters are either extremely moral, or extremely immoral, it might be hard for readers to relate to them. A good character will still have some flaws, and may even possess negative character traits (like rudeness or dishonesty). However, this will give them room to grow, making them feel more human to your audience, and encourage character building.
• Make your good character forgiving of others, no matter how difficult it may be. There is a maturity that comes along with being a forgiving person, and a good character will demonstrate this, especially when given the chance to do otherwise.

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