Direct & Indirect Characterization

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What is Direct Characterization?

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

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What is Indirect Characterization?

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

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Example of Direct Characterization: "James is a hard-worker."

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This statement directly tells us about James's work ethic.

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Example of Indirect Characterization: "Marcia felt the knot in her stomach grow when she saw the number of questions on the test."

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This shows Marcia's anxiety without stating it outright.

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What does it mean when an author 'tells' the reader about a character?

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It refers to direct characterization, where the author provides clear information about the character.

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What does it mean when an author 'shows' a character's traits?

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It refers to indirect characterization, where the character's traits are revealed through actions or dialogue.

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Identify the type of characterization: "After all, she was not only harmless -- there was no question about that -- but she was also quite obviously a kind and generous soul."

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Direct characterization.

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Identify the type of characterization: "Mark stomped to his room and slammed the door. Everything seemed so unfair."

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Indirect characterization.

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What is an example of a direct characterization statement?

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"She was a kind and generous person."

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What is an example of an indirect characterization statement?

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"He clenched his fists and glared at the ground, showing his frustration."