Character Goals

Definition

Character goals refer to the specific desires or objectives that drive a character's actions and decisions throughout a narrative. These goals often create conflict and propel the story forward, serving as essential elements in both character development and plot progression.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Character goals can be internal, reflecting a character's personal desires or emotional needs, or external, focusing on tangible achievements within the plot.
2. Clear and compelling character goals are crucial for maintaining audience engagement, as they create stakes and motivate viewers to invest in the character's journey.
3. Characters often face obstacles that challenge their goals, leading to growth or change; this tension is vital for creating an engaging narrative.
4. Understanding a character's goals helps in developing script coverage and development notes, as it highlights key moments that reveal character motivation.
5. In script development, ensuring that characters have well-defined goals can help identify structural issues and enhance overall storytelling quality.

Review Questions

• How do character goals enhance the narrative structure of a story?
  • Character goals enhance narrative structure by providing clear motivations for characters, which drive their actions and decisions. This not only creates conflict but also engages the audience by establishing what is at stake for the characters. As characters pursue their goals, viewers become invested in the outcome, making the story more compelling and dynamic.
• Discuss how obstacles related to character goals contribute to conflict in storytelling.
  • Obstacles related to character goals are central to generating conflict in storytelling. When characters encounter challenges that hinder their ability to achieve their desires, it creates tension and drama. This conflict pushes characters to evolve, confront their fears, and adapt strategies to overcome difficulties, ultimately enriching the narrative and keeping the audience engaged.
• Evaluate the impact of clearly defined character goals on script coverage and development notes.
  • Clearly defined character goals significantly impact script coverage and development notes by providing insight into a character's motivations and story arc. When reviewers understand these goals, they can better assess how effectively the narrative conveys character development and conflict. This clarity aids in identifying strengths and weaknesses in the script, guiding revisions that enhance character depth and overall storytelling effectiveness.

Related terms

Protagonist: The main character in a story who faces challenges and strives to achieve their goals, often embodying the central theme of the narrative.

Conflict: A struggle between opposing forces that creates tension in a story; character goals often generate conflict when characters pursue their desires against obstacles.

Arc: The transformation or growth a character undergoes throughout the story, typically influenced by their pursuit of goals and the challenges they encounter.