Character Trait: Decent

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "decent" refers to a person who is honorable, fair, and respectful in their actions and treatment of others. A decent person is someone who values integrity, morality, and empathy, and strives to behave in a way that aligns with these values. They are trustworthy and reliable, and they treat others with kindness and consideration. A decent character is often portrayed as a role model or a source of inspiration for others, and their actions can help to promote positive change in the world.

Possible causes of being decent

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

• A strong sense of empathy and compassion towards others
• A sense of responsibility and accountability for one's actions
• A desire to do the right thing, even when it is difficult or unpopular
• Respect for oneself and others, regardless of differences
• A willingness to listen and consider different perspectives
• A belief in treating others the way you would like to be treated
• Honesty and integrity in all interactions
• A commitment to personal growth and self-improvement
• A positive outlook on life and a focus on seeing the good in others

Behaviors associated with being decent

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

• Treating others fairly and justly
• Respecting the boundaries and rights of others
• Being responsible and accountable for one's actions
• Being honest and trustworthy
• Keeping promises and commitments
• Helping those in need
• Showing respect to others
• Acknowledging and learning from mistakes
• Being empathetic and compassionate

Attitudes associated with being decent

You may be able to show decent through their attitudes.

• Humility
• Fairness
• Compassion
• Integrity
• Kindness
• Consideration
• Trustworthiness
• Civility
• Responsibility
• Tolerance
• Honesty
• Generosity
• Respectfulness
• Empathy

Thoughts and struggles associated with being decent

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

• A Decent character may struggle with balancing their own needs and desires with those of others, often putting others first.
• They may have a strong sense of empathy and compassion, feeling deeply for others' struggles and wanting to help in any way they can.
• They may struggle with asserting themselves and standing up for what they believe in, wanting to avoid conflict or confrontation.
• They may struggle with boundaries, not wanting to hurt others' feelings or disappoint them by saying no.
• They may have a strong sense of responsibility and duty, feeling the need to do what is right even if it's difficult or unpopular.
• They may feel conflicted when faced with moral dilemmas, trying to weigh the consequences of their actions and do what is best for everyone involved.
• They may have a tendency to be self-critical, always striving to be better and do better.
• They may feel guilty when they make mistakes or let others down, even if it wasn't entirely their fault.

Emotions associated with being decent

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

• Honesty
• Generosity
• Empathy
• Humility
• Respectfulness
• Compassion
• Trustworthiness
• Kindness
• Responsibility
• Fairness

Facial expressions associated with being decent

Here are some facial expressions your decent character may exhibit.

• A relaxed and open facial expression
• A calm and composed demeanor, even in challenging situations
• A sincere smile that reaches the eyes
• A slight tilt of the head to show interest or curiosity
• A gentle and kind tone of voice
• A furrowed brow to show concern or empathy
• A slight head nod to show agreement or understanding
• A neutral expression when receiving criticism
• Maintaining eye contact while listening or speaking

Body language associated with being decent

Here is some body language your decent character may exhibit.

• Avoiding interrupting others while they are speaking
• Being punctual and respectful of others' time
• Using polite language and tone when communicating
• Maintaining eye contact when speaking or listening to others
• Standing or sitting up straight with good posture
• Keeping promises and fulfilling commitments
• Showing empathy and concern for others' feelings
• Offering help or support when needed
• Smiling or nodding to show agreement or appreciation

Behaviors associated with being decent

Here are some behaviors your decent character may exhibit.

• Helping those in need
• Treating others fairly and justly
• Respecting the boundaries and rights of others
• Showing respect to others
• Being honest and trustworthy
• Acknowledging and learning from mistakes
• Being responsible and accountable for one's actions
• Keeping promises and commitments
• Being empathetic and compassionate

Growth and evolution of decent characters

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

• Learning to communicate effectively with others
• Facing and overcoming a fear or phobia
• Discovering a hidden strength or talent
• Taking responsibility for their actions and mistakes
• Developing empathy or compassion for others
• Overcoming a flaw or weakness
• Gaining a new perspective on a situation or person
• Learning to forgive or let go of grudges
• Learning to trust others or themselves

Stereotypes of decent characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical decent character like these examples.

• The "one-dimensional" character who only has one defining trait and no depth
• The "stereotypical" character who embodies cliché characteristics without any originality or nuance
• The "perfect" character who has no flaws or weaknesses
• The "predictable" character who always makes the "right" choices and has no surprises
• The "self-righteous" character who judges others for not living up to their moral standards
• The "boring" character who has no interesting backstory or experiences

Negatives of being decent

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

• A character who is too decent may be taken advantage of or manipulated by others.
• Being too decent can make a character seem boring or unremarkable.
• Decent characters may struggle to stand out in a story filled with more dynamic or flawed characters.
• Decency can sometimes lead to indecisiveness or a lack of assertiveness in difficult situations.

Positives of being decent

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

• Decent people are respectful and considerate of others' feelings and needs.
• They have a strong sense of integrity and ethics, and they always try to do the right thing.
• Decent individuals are trustworthy and reliable, and they honor their commitments.
• They are empathetic and compassionate, and they show kindness and generosity towards others.
• They have a positive attitude and are able to see the good in others and situations.
• Decent people are open-minded and accepting of diversity, and they treat everyone with respect and dignity.
• Decent individuals are responsible and accountable for their actions, and they take ownership of their mistakes.
• They have good communication skills and are able to express themselves clearly and respectfully.
• Decent people are good listeners and are able to provide support and guidance to others.

Verbal expressions of decent characters

Here are some potential expressions used by decent characters.

• Respecting boundaries and personal space
• Giving credit where it's due and acknowledging the contributions of others
• Using polite and respectful language when speaking to others
• Expressing empathy and compassion for others
• Apologizing sincerely when you make a mistake
• Saying "please" and "thank you" regularly
• Avoiding gossip and spreading rumors
• Avoiding offensive language and derogatory remarks
• Being honest and transparent in your communication

Relationships of decent characters

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

• Ability to listen actively and empathize with others
• Treating others with kindness and compassion
• Giving others the benefit of the doubt and avoiding snap judgments
• Willingness to compromise and find solutions that benefit all parties involved
• Avoiding manipulative or controlling behaviors in relationships
• Holding oneself accountable for one's actions and taking responsibility for mistakes
• Maintaining healthy boundaries and respecting the boundaries of others
• Building trust through consistency, reliability, and follow-through
• Respectful communication that is open and honest

Examples from books of characters who are decent

• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Jane Eyre from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
• Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
• Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Sherlock Holmes from the Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle

Writing exercises for writing decent characters

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

• Have your character make a sacrifice for someone they care about. How do they handle the sacrifice emotionally?
• Think of a person in your life who embodies this trait. What do they do that makes them "Decent"? How can you translate those actions into your character's behavior?
• Write a scene in which your character is faced with a moral dilemma. How do they react? Do they prioritize doing the right thing over personal gain?
• Write a conversation between your character and someone who is struggling with a difficult decision. How does your character offer support and advice?
• Show your character making amends for a mistake they have made. How do they take responsibility for their actions?
• Start by defining what "Decent" means to you as a writer. What values and behaviors do you associate with this trait?
• Show your character being kind or generous to someone who is in need. How do they go about helping?
• Write a scene in which your character stands up for someone who is being mistreated or bullied. How do they go about defending the person?