Enneagram Type 5 (The Investigator) Character Arc Worksheet

Unlock the mystery of your cerebral characters with the Enneagram Type 5 Cheat Sheet, focusing on “The Investigator” archetype. Type 5 characters are observant, curious, and independent, often intellectuals or specialists who prize knowledge and autonomy.

This guide by K.M. Weiland (author of Creating Character Arcs) will help you chart how a Type 5’s core fear (of being overwhelmed or incapable) and core desire (to be competent and informed) can drive a Positive Arc of engagement and wisdom or a Negative Arc of isolation and detachment.

• Core Type 5 Overview: Get a quick handle on your Investigator. The cheat sheet lists basic Fear (being useless, helpless, or overwhelmed, causing them to withdraw and hoard resources/info) and basic desire (to be capable and competent). Key traits: analytical, reserved, insightful, detached, sometimes cynical. Your Type 5 likely has a rich inner thought life, needs plenty of personal space, and might struggle with emotional expression or energy depletion around others.

• Positive Arc – From Avarice to Non-Attachment: The Positive Change Arc outline shows how a Type 5 can grow by moving from isolation to connection with practical application of knowledge. Early on, your Type 5 might be on the sidelines–a bit of a loner, preferring books or the lab to social settings, possibly believing a Lie like “I’m only safe if I keep my distance (or conserve my resources/time)” or “Feelings and attachments will distract me from understanding.” Key arc moments may include: call to Action (they’re drawn out of their comfort zone by a problem only they can solve or a person who genuinely seeks their expertise), mid-story growth (they realize they need help or that sharing knowledge doesn’t deplete them – e.g., working with a team is yielding results, or they develop a personal attachment that starts melting their aloof exterior), embracing the Truth (such as, “I have enough to give because engaging with the world actually enriches me and others” or “Knowledge is meant to be shared for a greater good”), and Resolution (steps up, perhaps sacrificing solitude or risking vulnerability, to make a difference with what they know and finds a sense of belonging or purpose in doing so).

• Negative Arc – From Avarice to Reclusion: The Negative Arc demonstrates a Type 5 collapsing under fear and withdrawing too far. This could look like: increasing isolation (when stressed or challenged, they double down on staying apart), breakdown of function (at the Midpoint, they might hoard info or resources selfishly, or become paranoid about demands on them), descent into the Lie (they fully believe “I must protect myself from the world at all costs”), and final outcome (ends up alone, possibly having contributed to disaster by not acting or by acting only in self-interest). The cheat sheet will help you build these steps by guiding you through writing a character who, tragically, lets their intellect serve their fear rather than overcome it, resulting in loneliness or regretful consequences.

• Two Separate Worksheets: The Type 5 Cheat Sheets are organized as two separate worksheets, making it easy to glance at the Positive vs. Negative Arc points and the core motivations. Keep them near your outline to ensure your Investigator’s actions align with Enneagram-fueled reasoning (e.g., “Is this choice coming from fear of involvement? Is this a moment in which I can show the character tentatively engaging more?”).

• Bonuses Included: You also get a handy reference sheet showing the main points and differences of all of the nine Enneagram types, as well as a detailed Resources PDF with links to dozens of helpful tools for both the Enneagram and character arcs, and a Quick Tips sheet with more insight into Type 5's personality.

• Download Instantly: As with all our cheat sheets, you get an instant download upon purchase. No physical copy will be mailed. Save or print the pdfs and Word docs (use whichever you prefer) and integrate their insights as you develop your scientist, scholar, detective, or any knowledge-driven, solitary character.

By leveraging the Enneagram Type 5 Cheat Sheet, you will create characters who exemplify the brilliance and complexity of the Investigator archetype. Your Type 5 can become one of the most intriguing players in your story. This could be the quiet hero whose journey is about stepping out of the shadows of their library or lab, or perhaps the tragic recluse whose genius couldn’t save them from themselves. With this guide, every step of that journey will make psychological sense and captivate readers who see the human behind the logic and reserve.

(Explore the full range of Enneagram Cheat Sheets in our shop to cover other character types, or grab the discounted complete bundle for an all-in-one reference set.)