Character Trait: Assured

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "Assured" refers to a person who is confident, self-assured, and certain of their abilities and decisions. An assured character is not easily swayed by others' opinions and is comfortable taking the lead when necessary. They trust their own judgement and are not afraid to speak up or take risks when it's called for. This trait is often associated with strong leadership skills, as well as a sense of calm and clarity in the face of uncertainty or adversity.

Possible causes of being assured

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Confidence in their abilities or skills
• Practice and experience in handling challenging situations
• Positive self-talk or mindset
• Previous successes or accomplishments
• Positive upbringing or environment
• Strong support system or relationships
• Embracing their unique qualities and strengths
• Positive feedback or validation from others

For detailed feedback on assured characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's critique report.

Behaviors associated with being assured

You may be able to show your character's trait of assured by using these.

• Standing up for oneself and one's beliefs
• Setting goals and working towards them with determination
• Maintaining a calm and composed demeanor
• Making decisions with conviction
• Being comfortable with oneself and one's abilities
• Speaking confidently and assertively
• Being self-reliant and independent
• Not being easily swayed by others' opinions or criticisms
• Taking calculated risks

Attitudes associated with being assured

You may be able to show assured through their attitudes.

• A belief in one's own potential for success
• A willingness to take risks and face challenges
• Confidence in one's abilities and decisions
• A tendency to be decisive and take action
• A sense of self-worth and belief in oneself
• A capacity to handle criticism and setbacks without losing confidence
• A positive outlook and a tendency to see opportunities rather than obstacles
• A willingness to speak up and assert oneself in a respectful way
• A calm and composed demeanor even in uncertain situations

Thoughts and struggles associated with being assured

Here are some ideas for things your assured character may think or struggle with.

• They may struggle with arrogance or overconfidence, which can lead to poor judgment or mistreatment of others.
• An assured character is confident in their abilities and decisions.
• They may have difficulty accepting criticism or admitting when they are wrong.
• They may fear failure or losing control, which can cause them to be hesitant to take risks or delegate tasks.
• They may struggle with trusting others and may feel the need to be in charge at all times.
• They may have a tendency to downplay the accomplishments of others or take credit for the work of their team.
• They may seek validation and approval from others to reinforce their sense of assurance.

Emotions associated with being assured

Here are some ideas for emotions your assured character may experience.

• Security
• Boldness
• Confidence
• Certainty
• Trust in oneself
• Poise
• Conviction
• Self-assurance
• Self-confidence

Facial expressions associated with being assured

Here are some facial expressions your assured character may exhibit.

• Relaxed facial muscles
• Chin raised
• Tilted head
• Raised eyebrows
• Confident smile
• Steady gaze
• Clear enunciation
• Direct eye contact

Body language associated with being assured

Here is some body language your assured character may exhibit.

• Making direct eye contact
• Speaking in a clear, confident tone
• Using purposeful gestures to emphasize points
• Standing tall with shoulders back
• Smiling or nodding to show agreement or confidence
• Taking up space with a wide stance or expansive arm movements
• Maintaining a calm and composed demeanor even in high-pressure situations

For detailed feedback on assured characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's critique report.

Behaviors associated with being assured

Here are some behaviors your assured character may exhibit.

• Being comfortable with oneself and one's abilities
• Maintaining a calm and composed demeanor
• Standing up for oneself and one's beliefs
• Not being easily swayed by others' opinions or criticisms
• Being self-reliant and independent
• Taking calculated risks
• Setting goals and working towards them with determination
• Making decisions with conviction
• Speaking confidently and assertively

Growth and evolution of assured characters

Here are some ways that your assured character may grow and evolve over time.

• Become more adaptable and flexible, learning to adjust to changing circumstances and unexpected challenges
• Develop empathy and emotional intelligence, becoming more attuned to the feelings and needs of those around them
• Become more self-aware and reflective, recognizing their own strengths and limitations
• Learn to trust and rely on others, rather than feeling like they need to do everything themselves
• Develop a sense of humility and openness to feedback, recognizing that they still have room to learn and grow
• Learn to communicate more effectively, expressing their thoughts and feelings clearly and assertively
• Overcome their fear of failure or rejection, taking risks and trying new things

Stereotypes of assured characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical assured character like these examples.

• Refusal to admit mistakes or take responsibility for actions
• Overconfidence that leads to reckless behavior
• Inflexibility or unwillingness to consider other perspectives
• Lack of empathy or consideration for others' feelings
• Disrespect towards those in positions of lesser power or authority
• Arrogance or condescension towards others
• Blatant disregard for rules or authority

Negatives of being assured

Here are some potential negatives of being assured. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• May struggle with empathy or understanding others' perspectives
• May struggle with vulnerability or showing weakness
• Can be seen as intimidating or domineering
• Can come across as arrogant or overly confident
• May have difficulty accepting criticism or admitting mistakes
• May take unnecessary risks or make impulsive decisions

Positives of being assured

Here are some potential positives of being assured. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Able to inspire and motivate others
• Resilient and able to bounce back from setbacks
• Proactive and take charge in leadership roles
• Good at problem-solving and decision-making
• Able to handle difficult situations with ease
• Self-assured and self-confident
• Comfortable taking risks and trying new things
• Charismatic and persuasive in communication
• Confident in one's abilities and decisions

Verbal expressions of assured characters

Here are some potential expressions used by assured characters.

• "I don't second-guess myself"
• "I have no doubt in my mind"
• "I'm certain of the outcome"
• "I'm sure of myself"
• "I'm confident in my abilities"
• "I trust my instincts"
• "I know what I'm doing"
• "I'm not afraid to take risks"
• "I speak my mind without hesitation"

Relationships of assured characters

Here are some ways that being assured could affect your character's relationships.

• They may be more willing to take risks or try new things, since they trust in their own abilities and judgment.
• Assured individuals often have a strong sense of self-worth and don't feel the need to seek validation or approval from others, which can make them seem independent or even aloof at times.
• They tend to be confident and assertive in their interactions with others, which can make them natural leaders or decision-makers in group settings.
• Assured individuals may be more likely to challenge authority or question the status quo, since they are not easily intimidated by power dynamics.
• They often have a clear sense of boundaries and are not afraid to assert them when necessary, which can make them seem self-protective or even confrontational at times.
• Assured people may be less likely to be swayed by others' opinions or peer pressure, since they are comfortable with their own beliefs and values.

Examples from books of characters who are assured

• Jo March from "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
• Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Anne Shirley from the "Anne of Green Gables" series by L.M. Montgomery
• Hermione Granger from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Ender Wiggin from "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" trilogy by Suzanne Collins
• Sherlock Holmes from the "Sherlock Holmes" series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Jane Eyre from "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte

Writing exercises for writing assured characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write assured characters.

• Write a scene where your character has to confront someone who is trying to undermine their confidence. How do they react?
• Write a scene where your character has to make a difficult decision, and demonstrate their confidence in their choice.
• Create a character who is always self-assured, but put them in a situation where they are forced to confront their own insecurities.
• Create a character who has lost their confidence, and show their journey towards regaining it.
• Create a character who is so self-assured that they border on arrogance. Show how this trait affects their relationships with others.
• Write a dialogue between two characters, one who is very assured and one who is not. How do they interact?
• Think of a time when you felt incredibly confident and self-assured. Write a scene where your character experiences a similar feeling.