What is Characterization?
Characterization is the way a writer shows what a character is like. It helps the
reader understand the character’s personality, habits, thoughts, feelings and the
reasons behind their actions. Without characterization, characters would feel empty
and flat. With good characterization, the reader can imagine the character as a real
person and understand why they behave the way they do.
Characterization answers questions like
Who is this person?
What do they believe in?
How do they act in different situations?
What makes them special or different from others?
Writers use characterisation from the beginning to the end of a story so readers can
gradually understand the character better.
Types of Characterization
There are two main types of characterization. Each type helps the reader
understand the character in a different way.
Direct Characterization
Direct characterization is when the writer clearly tells the reader what a character is
like. There is no need to guess. The writer gives direct information about the
character’s personality, behavior, or appearance.
Examples of direct characterization
1. The teacher was a very strict woman who never allowed noise in her class.
The writer tells us directly that she is strict.
2. Ali was a brave boy who never feared challenges.
The writer tells us Ali is brave.
3. Sara was selfish and only thought about herself.
The writer tells the trait openly.
Direct characterization is simple and easy to understand because the writer uses
clear statements.
Indirect Characterization
Indirect characterization is when the writer shows the character’s personality
through clues. The reader must pay attention and figure out the traits from the
character’s actions, words, thoughts, appearance and the way others react to them.
Writers often show a character through these five things
Speech
Thoughts
Effect on others
Actions
Looks
This can be remembered as S T E A L.
Examples of indirect characterization
Through actions
Rina placed her umbrella over the stray puppy to keep it dry in the rain.
This shows she is kind.
Through speech
I do not care how hard it is. I am finishing this for my team.
This shows determination and responsibility.
Through thoughts
I wish I had the courage to speak up, but I am afraid everyone will laugh.
This shows fear and lack of confidence.
Through effect on others
Everyone in the class felt calmer when Omar entered because he always spoke
softly and tried to solve problems.
This shows he is gentle and peaceful.
Through appearance
His clothes were always wrinkled and his hair was messy, as if he never paid
attention to anything.
This shows he might be careless or disorganized.
Indirect characterization works more like real life. We learn about people by
watching what they do, listening to what they say, and noticing how others react to
them.
How Characterization Is Different From Characters
A character and characterization are not the same thing. They are related, but they
have different meanings.
Characters are the people, animals or figures in a story. They are the who of the
story.
Examples
Harry Potter
Cinderella
Sherlock Holmes
Katniss Everdeen
Characterization is the way the writer shows what these characters are like. It is
the how of the story.
For example
Harry Potter is shown as brave through his actions
Cinderella is shown as kind through her behavior
Sherlock Holmes is shown as intelligent through his sharp observations
In simple words
Characters are the people.
Characterization is the way the writer helps the reader understand those people.
Short Combined Example
Here is a small example that uses both direct and indirect characterization.
Direct
Tom was a lazy boy who did not like to do his homework.
Indirect
Every day, Tom waited for his mother to beg him to start his assignments. He
would yawn loudly, drag his feet across the room and complain that he was too
tired, even though he had spent the whole afternoon playing games.
From the direct part, we are told he is lazy.
From the indirect part, we see his laziness through his actions and behavior.