Stories have a main character. The main character usually faces a conflict or problem in the story that the author usually solves by the end of the story.
Stories may have supporting characters. Supporting characters are not the main focus of the story, but they usually help the main character solve the conflict or problem.
Main characters may be a protagonist (good guy), antagonist (bad guy), or a narrator.
To determine what a character is like, pay close attention to:
what a character says
what a character does
what a character thinks
what other characters say about them
Character traits can be outside traits ... characteristics on the outside that you can see:
short hair, blue eyes, freckles, smiles a lot
Character traits can be inside traits ... characteristics on the inside that can be inferred:
kind, respectful, funny, serious
Great readers look for character traits through action and dialogue.