How do I study characterisation in a text?

Firstly, ensure the student knows the plot inside, out. This way the general arc of the character's story can be identified. After this, we will pick two or three main characters and identify their main characteristics, i.e. jealousy, forgiveness, quick to anger. Using these main characteristics, we will look at whether these change over the course of the text and how, whether they impact the plot and if so how and why. We will then go back to the main plot and, taking these characteristics, examine how the plot changes due to these characters and therefore the weight of their characterisation in regards to the text. The student will then continue to reference the characteristics throughout their exam prep to ensure it becomes habit to talk about the how and why these characters affect the text, not only their characteristics alone.