Characterization and Conflict

Front

What are character traits?

Back

Descriptive adjectives that tell you what a character is like.

Front

What is characterization?

Back

The process by which the author reveals a character’s personality.

Front

What is the difference between direct and indirect characterization?

Back

Direct characterization explicitly describes a character's traits, while indirect characterization reveals traits through actions, thoughts, and dialogue.

Front

Give an example of direct characterization.

Back

"Alfie was a little weird - into sci-fi and comic books, but he was mature for his age and knowledgeable about many things."

Front

Give an example of indirect characterization.

Back

"His wife walked briskly in front of him in a faded sundress that hadn't fit her correctly since the birth of their second son."

Front

What is conflict in literature?

Back

A struggle or issue between two (or more) opposing forces.

Front

What are the two main types of conflict?

Back

Internal conflict (within a character) and external conflict (between characters or forces).

Front

What is an example of internal conflict?

Back

A character struggling with their own fears or desires.

Front

What is an example of external conflict?

Back

A character facing a villain or a natural disaster.

Front

How can characterization affect the plot of a story?

Back

Characterization can drive the plot by influencing characters' decisions and actions.