Direct and indirect characterization

Front

What is direct characterization?

Back

Direct characterization is when the author explicitly tells the reader about a character's traits, such as their personality, appearance, or feelings.

Front

What is indirect characterization?

Back

Indirect characterization is when the author shows the character's traits through their actions, words, thoughts, and interactions with others, requiring the reader to infer the traits.

Front

Example of direct characterization: 'Rachel was a shy girl with a love of kittens.' What type of characterization is this?

Back

Direct characterization.

Front

Example of indirect characterization: 'Luara picked her neighbor up from her kindergarten class and walked her home every day after school.' What type of characterization is this?

Back

Indirect characterization.

Front

When the reader has to infer the character traits from actions and words, what type of characterization is being used?

Back

Indirect characterization.

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Fill in the blank: Direct Characterization __________ the reader details about a character.

Back

tells.

Front

Example of indirect characterization: 'When Todd walked by Jill, she put her leg out to trip him and then laughed at him when he fell.' What type of characterization is this?

Back

Indirect characterization.

Front

What does it mean to infer a character's traits?

Back

To infer a character's traits means to make educated guesses about their personality based on their actions, dialogue, and interactions.

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How can an author use dialogue to show indirect characterization?

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An author can use dialogue to reveal a character's personality, emotions, and relationships through what they say and how they say it.

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What is an example of a character trait that can be shown through indirect characterization?

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Traits like kindness, bravery, or selfishness can be shown through a character's actions and decisions.