Characterization
Definitions
Characterization: how an author reveals the
personality (character traits) of a character
Two Types of Characterization:
1. Direct
2. Indirect
Direct Characterization
Direct Characterization: when the author TELLS
you what the character traits are
* Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were
both playing the game.”
The author is telling us that the boy is
patient and the girl is quiet.
Indirect Characterization
Indirect characterization: when the author
SHOWS you things that reveal the personality
of the character.
You make observations about the character in
order to infer things about their personality.
Indirect Characterization
FIVE different types of Indirect Characterization:
1. Speech
2. Thoughts
3. Effect on other characters
4. Actions
5. Looks
STEAL!
Indirect Characterization
1. Speech
What does the character say?
How does the character speak? (dialect and
idiom)
*Example: “Hey, we can have lots of fun at camp this
summer! I love being outside! It’s just the bee’s
knees!”
This shows us the character is upbeat and happy.
Indirect Characterization
2. Thoughts
What is revealed through the character’s
thoughts and feelings?
* Example: Ben wished it would stop raining. He was
tired of sitting inside!
This shows us the character is not happy about the
situation, and that he begrudgingly stays inside.
Indirect Characterization
3. Effect on Others
How do other people react to the character?
*Example: The boy glared at his sister as she ate
his dessert.
This shows us that the character is upset about
his sister’s belligerent behavior and inability to
think of others.
Indirect Characterization
4. Actions
What does the character do?
How does the character behave?
*Example: The girl rode the lawn mower through the
house and into the garage.
This shows us the girl is not nonchalant about rules or
safety.
Indirect Characterization
5. Looks
What does the character look like?
How does the character dress?
*Example: The little girl left the game with slumped
shoulders and a frown on her face as the other
character leered at her.
This shows us the little girl is not enjoying herself
and is upset.
The Difference
Direct Characterization: TELLING; author tells you
about the characters
Indirect Characterization: SHOWING; author
gives you clues about the characters
Dynamic Charcters
Is someone who changes in an important and
significant way
Internal change (change of heart/personality)
This internal change happens as a result of
events in the plot
Dynamic Charcter
Gru at the Beginning Gru at the End
Gru at the Beginning 2
(2:50)
Static Character
A character whose personality does not
change significantly throughout the events in
the story’s plot
Internally, this character is basically the same
as he/she was at the story’s beginning
Flat Character
• A character who can be summed up with one or
two character traits
• They are not complicated or deep characters
Round Character
A character whose personal traits are complex
and many-sided
These characters are complicsted and can
have both good and bad qualities
You feel like you know this person
Example: Woody from Toy Story
. He’san honest, loyal friend and a
concerned leader. However, he is
not perfect. There are times where his
flaws show through; he makes the
wrong decisions, gets jealous, and is
even selfish at times. He’s a
complicated guy!