Characterization Flashcard

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What is Direct Characterization?

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Direct Characterization is when the author explicitly describes a character's traits, qualities, or personality.

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What is Indirect Characterization?

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Indirect Characterization is when the author reveals a character's personality through their actions, thoughts, dialogue, or how other characters perceive them.

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Example of Direct Characterization: 'Sally is awkward and shy.' What does this illustrate?

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This illustrates Direct Characterization because it directly states Sally's personality traits.

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Example of Indirect Characterization: 'The man's clothes were filthy, probably since he'd been sleeping on newspapers all night.' What does this suggest?

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This suggests Indirect Characterization as it reveals the man's living conditions and possibly his lifestyle without directly stating his character traits.

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What type of characterization shows things that reveal the personality of a character?

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Indirect Characterization shows things that reveal the personality of a character.

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How can a character's actions indicate their personality?

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A character's actions can indicate their personality by showing how they respond to situations, which reflects their values, beliefs, and traits.

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What role does dialogue play in Indirect Characterization?

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Dialogue can reveal a character's personality, background, and relationships with others through what they say and how they say it.

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Why is Indirect Characterization often more engaging than Direct Characterization?

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Indirect Characterization is often more engaging because it allows readers to infer and discover character traits through context, making the reading experience more interactive.

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Can a single sentence contain both Direct and Indirect Characterization? Give an example.

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Yes, a single sentence can contain both. Example: 'John, who always wore a smile, helped everyone in need.' (Direct: 'always wore a smile'; Indirect: 'helped everyone in need' suggests kindness.)

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What is the effect of using Indirect Characterization in storytelling?

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The effect of using Indirect Characterization is that it creates depth in characters, allowing readers to form their own interpretations and connections.