Defining Characterization
• Character
• Character – a person in a text (literary or
non).
• Types of Characters:
– Round- fully developed, has many different
character traits
– Flat- stereotyped, one-dimensional, few traits
– Static – Does not change
– Dynamic – Changes as a result of the story's
events
□ Characterization is the process by
which the writer reveals the
personality of a character.
Characterization is revealed through
direct characterization and
indirect characterization.
Quick Discussion
■ What is the difference between direct and
indirect?
■ What is an example of something that is
“direct”? What is an example of something
that is “indirect”?
□ Example: “The patient
□ Direct boy and quiet girl were
Characterization both well mannered
and did not disobey
tells the their mother.”
audience what □ Explanation: The
author is directly
the personality telling the audience
of the character the personality of
is. these two children.
The boy is “patient”
and the girl is “quiet.”
□
□ Indirect Speech -What does the character
say? How does the character
Characterization speak?
□ Thoughts -What is revealed
shows things that through the character’s private
reveal the thoughts and feelings?
□ Effect on others toward the
personality of a character. What is revealed
character. There are through the character’s effect on
other people? How do other
five different characters feel or behave in
methods of indirect □
reaction to the character?
Actions -What does the character
characterization. do? How does the character
behave?
□ Looks -What does the character
□ Use the mnemonic look like? How does the character
device of STEAL to dress?
remember the five types
of indirect
characterization
Indirect Characterization
■ SPEECH - What does the character say? How does the
character speak?
■ THOUGHTS - What is revealed through the character’s
private thoughts and feelings?
■ EFFECTS - What is revealed through the character’s
effect on other people? How do other characters feel or
behave in reaction to the character?
■ ACTIONS - What does the character do? How does the
character behave?
■ LOOKS - What does the character look like? How does
the character dress?
Direct or Indirect Characterization?
■ A. Ed Johnson scratched his head in
confusion as the sales rep explained
Dralco’s newest engine performance
diagnostic computer. The old mechanic
hated modern electronics, preferring the
old days when all he needed was a stack
of manuals and a good set of tools.
■ Direct!
Direct or Indirect Characterization?
■ B. “That Ed Johnson,” said Anderson, watching
the old mechanic scratch his head in confusion
as the sales rep explained Dralco’s newest
engine performance diagnostic computer. “He
hasn’t got a clue about modern electronics. Give
him a good set of tools and a stack of yellowing
manuals with a carburetor needing repair, and
he’d be happy as a hungry frog in a fly-field.”
■
Direct or Indirect Characterization?
■ C. Julie held up six different outfits in front of
the mirror and pondered which would go best
with her navy blue shoes, pastel eye shadow
and the diamond earrings she’d already
procured from her overflowing vanity. After
ninety minutes of mixing and matching, and
cell-phoning her sister three times for advice,
Julie finally made up her mind. She’d give the
navy blue skirt and white sweater a try, hoping
Trent would love it.
■
What about this scene?
Create Direct and Indirect characterizations of Simba and Scar in The Lion
King based on the photo below
Scar
Simba