TYPES OF

CHARACTERS &
CHARACTERIZATION
 Main & Minor Characters
• The most important characters in a story are called
main characters. Events in the story center on the lives
of these characters. Therefore, the writer usually
includes many details about their circumstances,
appearance, actions, and feelings.
• The less important characters are called minor
characters. These characters exist to interact with the
main characters and help move the story along.
 Protagonist and Antagonist
•PROTAGONIST- Is the central character.
Always the main character with whom the
story is about.
•ANTAGONIST- Opposes the protagonist and
creates conflict for our main character.
 Round & Flat Characters
• Characters that are complex • Flat characters are not complex.
and fully developed are said to They have few emotions.
be round characters. • Has one kind of personality, often
• Round characters tend to referred to as “two-dimensional”
display strengths, weaknesses, because they lack dimension.
and a full range of emotions. • They show a little bit of character
• The writer provides enough through reactions and emotions,
detail for the reader to but everything they reveal is of a
understand their feelings and one-track nature that’s
motives. undeveloped
 Static & Dynamic Characters
• A character who grows • A static character is the
emotionally, learns a opposite of a dynamic
character.
lesson, or alters his or her
behavior is called • The personality of that
DYNAMIC CHARACTER. character when he is
introduced is the same
Read the following: personality when the story
The sniper looked at his enemy falling and he comes to a close. And all his
shuddered. The lust of battle died in him. He
became bitter by remorse. The sweat stood out in
actions in-between stay true
beads on his forehead…His teeth chattered. He to that personality.
began to gibber to himself, cursing the war,
cursing himself, cursing everybody.
 Characterization
• Characterization is the Which words create
characterization to clarify your
process by which the image of Tommy?
writer reveals the
image and personality Tommy McSweeney really hated being the
tallest boy in the eighth grade. Everyone
of a character. assumed he was a good basketball player,
but he had no athletic interest or skill.
Instead, his talent emerged far from a court or
ball field. No one beyond Tommy’s family
knew that the pale, muscular kid with curly
hair and freckles was a classical pianist—and
Tommy intended to keep it that way.
Characterization: Creating Characters

•There are two types of

characterization: direct
characterization and indirect
characterization.
 Direct Characterization
• If a writer tells you what a
character is like the method is • Which words directly show
direct characterization you Amaya’s qualities?
• When a writer uses direct • When Amaya brought home
characterization, you don’t have a pet rabbit, her mother did
to do any detective work to not object. She knew Amaya
figure out the character. was a caring, responsible girl
• Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were who would take excellent
both well mannered and did not disobey their
mother.” care of the animal.
• Explanation: The author is directly telling the
audience the personality of these two children.
The boy is “patient” and the girl is “quiet.”
 What
Dr. Chang was the best dentist in the practice. He had a
words give
charming smile, a gentle manner, and a warm personality. you direct
He made a trip to the dentist a pleasant experience—
despite the discomfort. information
about Dr.
Chang’s
character?
 Indirect Characterization
• Indirect characterization shows things that reveal the
personality of a character.
• When writers use indirect characterization, they give
readers the chance to decide for themselves what a
character is like.
• There are five methods of indirect characterization.
 Indirect Characterization
STEAL
Speech What does the character say? How does the character
speak?

Thoughts What is revealed through the character’s private

thoughts and feelings?

Effect on What is revealed through the character’s effect on others? How do other
characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? How does the
others character make other characters feel?

Actions
What does the character do? How does the character behave? What is
her/his attitude?

Looks
What does the character look like? How does the character dress? We
might be told the color of hair, or something about the clothing of the character. How
the character dresses might reveal something about the character. Does the
character wear old, dirty clothing, or stylish, expensive clothing?
 Read the following text. What might this
character’s appearance say about his
personality?
• The man seated in
the parked limousine
had short hair,
piercing eyes, and a
serious gaze. He was
dressed neatly in a
starched white shirt
and striped tie.
 Read the following passage, paying
attention to the character’s
appearance.
• The girl in the fancy dress and
high-heeled shoes squirmed
How does this girl
uncomfortably on the hard feel? What details
wooden bench. Her eyes,
lips, and hands were
suggest this feeling?
clenched. Her head drooped • She feels sad.
and her chin hung low. A
tear slid down her face.
What do Karisti’s actions imply about
her character?
• It was a cold October day when
Karisti’s alarm buzzed at 6:00 a.m. She • What actions does
pulled on her clothes and headed for
the door. She carefully adjusted her
Karisti take?
headphones; then she pulled the • Karisti is getting up early to run on a
sleeves of her turtleneck over her cold morning as she prepares for a
hands to keep out the cold. Here goes marathon. She’s probably a dedicated
10 miles, she thought as she began her athlete.
run. I have to be ready for the spring
marathon.
 What indirect character trait is
shown?
After class, Deija asked Dana a • Dana is rude, uncaring, and unhelpful.
question, “I’m sorry, Dana, but my little
brother was sick and my parents made
me stay home and watch him yesterday. • Explanation:
Can I see your reading notes?” Dana • Deija asks Dana for something
huffed and rolled her eyes. She replied reasonable. Rather than politely
to Deija, “Uh, I don’t know where they declining, Dana does a bunch of rude
are right now.” stuff.
 What indirect character trait is
shown?
Tim was walking around the • Tim is clumsy or accident-prone.
store when he bumped into a display of
soup cans, knocking them all over. Tim
bought two cartons of eggs then got hit
by the automatic door on the way out. • Explanation:
It almost broke the eggs. Tim let out a
sigh of relief. While walking through the • Tim can’t even go to the grocery store
parking lot, Tim tripped over the curb without getting into several accidents.
and landed on the eggs, getting them He is either clumsy or unlucky.
all over his shirt.
 Indirect Characterization
• I’m tired of being ignored, Maura • Which three methods of indirect
thought. When I walk into a room, it’s characterization appear in this
like no one sees me. No more—I’m passage?
going to get noticed at the dance.

• When the big night came, though, 1. Thoughts & feelings

nothing went right. Maura’s dress didn’t 2. Appearance
fit correctly, and her shawl had a hole
in it. Worst of all, as she walked into the 3. Actions
gym, the heel broke on her right shoe,
sending her sprawling across the floor.
 Motivation
• Motivation is the reason why • Uncover a characters motivations by
paying attention to
people do the things they
do. In real life, we may never
what the what the
know why some people act
in certain ways—
character
says
+ character
does =
• In literature, you will find
plenty of clues to characters' clues
motivations. Use the clues to about
find out what makes a motivation
character tick.
 Motivation
• “Hey Sheila,” said Jesuka. “I haven’t
seen you at the mall all week. Where
• Which words reveal
have you been?” Sheila’s motivation for
• Sheila shrugged. “I’m babysitting for working after school?
Mrs. Davies.”
• “Babysitting? Why are wasting your
• Sheila’s words show that
time with some crying kid? You should she wants to earn money
be with your friends.”
to pay for ballet lessons.
• “My parents said that if I want to take
ballet lessons, I have to pay for them
myself.”