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Characterization
Character
• Characters: the people in a story– Human– Animal– Inanimate Object
• Main Character: usually deals with the conflict– Protagonist—The central character in a story– Antagonist—The principal character in
opposition to the protagonist
Protagonist or Antagonist??
Types of Characters
• Dynamic Characters: Characters who undergo changes as the plot unfolds
• Static Characters: Characters who remain the same throughout the story
Types of Characters
• Round Characters: Well-developed characters; many personality traits are revealed by the author
• Flat Character: Characters who are described more simply in a story; they just keep it going!
Direct Characterization
• One method used to develop characters
• The author makes direct statements about a character’s personality and what he/she is like
• The author TELLS the reader
“The wolf was mean and hungry.”
Indirect Characterization
• The author SHOWS a character’s traits• 2 indirect methods
– A character’s speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions
– The speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions of OTHER characters
Direct or Indirect?
• Little Jimmy might have looked cute on the outside, but all those who had spent any time with him knew that he was the poster child for the “terrible twos.”
• Direct—TOLD TO US!
Direct or Indirect?
• “Nathan in such a teacher’s pet!” exclaimed Sarah, who was easily bothered by Nathan’s relationship with the teacher.
• The speech of another character
• SHOWED TO US
Direct or Indirect?
• Katie had green hair and always wore combat boots with pink knee socks.
• Physical description• Direct
Direct or Indirect?
• “Why don’t my parents understand me?? I do everything they ask, but they’re still not pleased,” Angela explained to her best friend.
• A character’s speech• SHOWED TO US!!
Direct or Indirect Characterization?
• Eddie did not fear the mailman. He stood watch at the door each day at 3:00, ready to attack if necessary.
• Direct comments about the character
• TOLD TO US!
• Identifies traits of a person. These traits must always be adjectives (modify a noun).
Examples: pretty girl
smart boy
energetic dog
creative artist
Direct vs. Indirect
Direct characterization: narrator tells the audience the personality of a character.
Example: The patient boy was wellmannered and did not disobey his mother.
Indirect characterization: narrator
showsshows things that reveal the personalityof a character. This is done throughwords ,actions, thoughts, or anotherperson’s words.
Indirect characterization through words
I am so excited about our vacation to Europe!
Trait: anxious, excited, happy
Indirect characterization through actions
“The man cried.”
Trait: sad, upset, depressed
Indirect characterization through thoughts
Wow! I don’t understand
at all!
Trait: confused, dazed
Indirect characterization through another person’s
words
I can’t believe Tom did that! He is so coldhearted!
Trait: mean, coldhearted, ruthless
Character Analysis
• Name your character• Describe his/her physical
appearance in detail (clothes, hair, facial expressions, etc.)
• Describe a possible conflict this character might encounter
• What might this character think, say, feel, or do? (His/Her actions or words) x2
• What might another character think or say about your character? X2
• Pretend you are the narrator of a story and that your character is the protagonist. What direct comments might you make about your character? x2
• BE CREATIVE!!!
Why is characterization so important anyway?
• Helps the reader visualize a character
Example: The girl wore a long, black dress withbright red lipstick on her lips.
• Establishes facts about a characterExample: During the lecture, the professor explained that he had originally worked for NASA.
• Helps establish a story’s settingExample: The young girls wore tanmoccasins with deerskin clothing. Theyused natural turquoise to make their ownjewelry.
• Shows the reader how a character might react in a given situation
Example: Johnny was very nervous and timid toapproach Jill about the homecoming dance.