Outsiders S.T.E.A.L.

Outsiders S.T.E.A.L.

Applying Indirect Characterization to characters from The Outsiders

Multiple Select

Characterization is...Mark all that apply

• shown through a character's speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions, and looks.

• an important element of literature that builds on to plot, theme, etc.

• how an author describes characters in order to make them come to life.

• The events that occur in a story.

• The problem the characters face in the story

Learning how to S.T.E.A.L.

• Speech -- what and how a character speaks to others. Notice dialogue, tag lines, dialect/accent.

• Thoughts -- what a character thinks, values, believes, and what motivates a character.

• Effect on Other Characters -- how others react to or behave around the character; the relationships between characters.

• Actions -- how a character behaves, including how they react to other characters or events.

• Looks -- the character’s physical appearance. This includes physical features, clothing, body language, etc.

Characterization is...

- An important element of literature that builds on to plot, theme, etc.  

- Direct Characterization: How the author describes and shows the personality of a character to make them come to life.

- Indirect Characterization: Shown through a character's speech, thoughts, their effect on others, actions, and looks.

Multiple Select

Indirect Characterization is when the author ____________ the reader what the character is like.

• shows

• tells

Multiple Select

Direct Characterization is when the author _________ the reader what the character is like.

• tells

• shows

Multiple Select

_____________ is an acronym that stands for the different tools authors use to indirectly describe characters.

• STEAL

• MEAL

• DEAL

Multiple Choice

The letter "L" in S.T.E.A.L. stands for:

• Langauge

• Love

• Looks

Example: He's got dark-gold hair that he

combs back--- long and silky and straight--- and in the summer the sun bleaches it to a shining wheat gold. His eyes are dark brown--- lively, dancing, recklessly laughing eyes that can be gentle and sympathetic one moment and blazing with anger the next.

Multiple Choice

The letter "A" in S.T.E.A.L. stands for:

• Attitude

• Attribute

• Actions

Example: I went wild. I started screaming for Soda, Darry, anyone. Someone put his hand over my mouth, and I bit it as hard as I could, tasting the blood running through my teeth.

Multiple Choice

The "E" in S.T.E.A.L. stands for:

• Evidence

• Effect on Others

• Effect on Nature

Effect on Other Characters -- I drew

a quivering breath and quit crying. You just don't cry in front of Darry. Not unless you're hurt like Johnny had been that day we found him in the vacant lot.

Multiple Choice

The "T" in S.T.E.A.L. stands for:

• Thinks

• Text

• Theme

Example: Still, lots of times I wondered what other girls were like. The girls who were bright-eyed and had their dresses a decent length and acted as if they'd like to spit on us if given a chance.

Multiple Choice

The "S" in the acronym S.T.E.A.L. stands for:

• September

• Says

• Shows

• Sequence

Example: Darry broke in, "not at home or anywhere when it counts. You must think at school, with all those good grades you bring home, and you've always got your nose in a book, but do you ever use your head for common sense? No sirree, bub. And if you did have to go by yourself, you should have carried a blade."

Activity Instructions

Read each quote and identify which type of characterization (S.T.E.A.L) is being used by the author.

Next, you will identify what the quote reveals about the character.

Multiple Choice

What type of indirect characterization is being used in this excerpt

I was wishing I looked like Paul Newman--- he looks tough and I don't--- but I guess my own looks aren't so bad.

• Says

• Thinks

• Effect on Others

• Actions

• Looks

Multiple Select

Read the following quote carefully. Then, determine what it reveals about Ponyboy. Select as many as apply.

I was wishing I looked like Paul Newman--- he looks tough and I don't--- but I guess my own looks aren't so bad. (Pg 1).

• Confident

• Introspective

• Cruel

• Self-conscious

Multiple Choice

What type of indirect characterization is being used in this excerpt? "picture a little dark puppy that has been kicked too many times and is lost in a crowd of strangers, you'll have Johnny. He was the youngest, next to me, smaller than the rest, with a slight build. He had big black

eyes in a dark tanned face; his hair was jet-black and heavily greased and combed to the side, but it was so long that it fell in shaggy bangs across his forehead. He had a nervous, suspicious look in his eyes,"

• Says

• Thinks

• Effect on Others

• Actions

• Looks

Multiple Select

Read the following quote carefully. Then determine what it reveals about the character. -- Mark ALL that apply

"picture a little dark puppy that has been kicked too many times and is lost in a crowd of strangers, you'll have Johnny. He was the youngest, next to me, smaller than the rest, with a slight build. He had big black eyes in a dark tanned face; his hair was jet-black and heavily greased and combed to the side, but it was so long that it fell in shaggy bangs across his forehead. He had a nervous, suspicious look in his eyes,"

• They are brave and powerful

• They live a troubled life

• They are trusting of all people

• They are weary of possible dangers

Multiple Choice

What type of indirect characterization is being used in this excerpt?

Darry said impatiently, "When I want my kid brother to tell me what to do with my other kid brother, I'll ask you -- kid brother."

• Says

• Thinks

• Effect on Others

• Actions

• Looks

Multiple Select

Read the following quote carefully. Then determine what it reveals about the character. -- Mark ALL that apply

Darry said impatiently, "When I want my kid brother to tell me what to do with my other kid brother, I'll ask you-- kid brother."

• They are open to feedback from others

• They are controlling

• They are trusting of all people

• They are powerful and independent

Multiple Choice

What type of indirect characterization is being used in this excerpt?

The redhead was getting mad, or scared. She sat up straight and she was chewing hard on her gum. The other one pretended not to hear Dally. Dally was getting impatient. He put his feet up on the back of the redhead's chair, winked at me, and beat his own record for saying something dirty. She turned around and gave him a cool stare.

• Says

• Thinks

• Effect on Others

• Actions

• Looks

Multiple Select

Read the following quote carefully. Then determine what it reveals about the character. -- Mark ALL that apply

The redhead was getting mad, or scared. She sat up straight and she was chewing hard on her gum. The other one pretended not to hear Dally. Dally was getting impatient. He put his feet up on the back of the redhead's chair, winked at me, and beat his own record for saying something dirty. She turned around and gave him a cool stare.

• They are a caring person

• They are friendly

• They are rude

• They like to start trouble

Multiple Choice

What type of indirect characterization is being used in this excerpt?

One time, in a dime store, a guy told him to move over at the candy counter. Dally had turned around and belted him so hard it knocked a tooth loose.

• Says

• Thinks

• Effect on Others

• Actions

• Looks

Multiple Select

Read the following quote carefully. Then determine what it reveals about the character. -- Mark ALL that apply

One time, in a dime store, a guy told him to move over at the candy counter. Dally had turned around and belted him so hard it knocked a tooth loose.

• They are a caring person

• They are friendly

• They are dangerous

• They are unpredictable