Characterization -- direct & indirect -- Personal Narrative

CHARACTERIZATION

REVIEW

Multiple Choice

Read the following passage from a story:

Mercy snorted. She should have known better than to challenge Victoria. Of all Mercy's friends, Victoria talked loudest, ran fastest, and took the most risks. She bragged about the time she convinced her older brothers to spend a weekend building her a fort. Mercy liked to call Victoria "Buster". "Because you are always busting things up," she laughed. Victoria wore the nickname with pride.

Based on the passage, which of the following is one of Victoria's traits?

• forgetful

• confused

• bold

• shy

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and then answer the question below:

"No, indeed. I don't know anything. You see, I am stuffed, so I have no brains at all," [the Scarecrow] answered sadly.

"Oh", said Dorothy, "I am awfully sorry for you."

"Do you think," he asked, "if I go to the Emerald City with you, that Oz would give me some brains?"

"I cannot tell", she returned, "but you may come with me, if you like. If Oz will not give you any brains you will be no worse off than you are now."

Which detail from the passage best shows us that Dorothy is caring and kind?

• "I cannot tell," she returned..."

• ""I don't know anything. You see, I am stuffed, so I have no brains at all,"[the Scarecrow] answered sadly."

• "Oh", said Dorothy, "I am awfully sorry for you."

• "Do you think," he asked, "if I go to the Emerald City with you, that Oz would give me some brains?

Multiple Choice

Characterization is...

• the central message in a story

• the problem in a story

• the process by which a writer reveals a character's personality and qualities

When an author explicitly TELLS you about a character's traits, that's direct characterization.

Readers do not have to infer anything.

Often, the author chooses details that SHOW the reader the character's traits. This is called indirect characterization.

The reader must infer the character's traits.

Multiple Choice

What character trait is revealed in this passage?

Jonathan looked at the homeless dog walking down the street of his neighborhood. He approached the dog, slowly cautiously, with his hands stretched outward. After gaining his trust, Jonathan took the dog home, gave him a warm bath, and big bowl of food.

• impulsive

• obsessed

• humble

• compassionate

Multiple Choice

Is this passage an example of direct or indirect characterization?

Jonathan looked at the homeless dog walking down the street of his neighborhood. He approached the dog, slowly cautiously, with his hands stretched outward. After gaining his trust, Jonathan took the dog home, gave him a warm bath, and big bowl of food.

• direct

• indirect

Multiple Select

What can we infer about Lisa Simpson from her thoughts?

• She feels guilty eating meat.

• She is intelligent.

• She has short spikey hair.

• She plays the saxophone

Five Typical Ways that Authors Employ Indirect Characterization (STEAL)

• Speech

• Thoughts

• Effect on Others

• Actions

• Looks

Multiple Choice

Which STEAL am I using to describe a character as an athletic

When Lucy changed into her gym clothes she always had the latest gear. He shoes, although just bought new last month, were worn in to the perfect fit. Before she ran she made sure to tie back her hair, set her fitbit to track her running and was on the starting mark in perfect form before any other runner.

• Speech

• Looks

• Effect On Others

• Actions

Multiple Choice

Which STEAL am I using to describe a character as a bully
Every time Jimmy walked down the hallway the other kids were sure to move aside and hold their books a little tighter for fear that Jimmy would knock them out of their hands. No one ever dared look Jimmy in the eye as he came their way. 

• Speech
• Thoughts
• Effect On Others
• Actions

Multiple Choice

Which STEAL am I using to describe a character as smart
Jane liked to sit in front of the class. She came with all her materials and she always had her homework done. When ever the teacher asked a question, Jane was the first with her hand raised and ready to answer. 

• Speech
• Thoughts
• Effect On Others
• Actions

Use characterization strategies in your personal narratives

Direct Characterization

Every time I would read with him and he would struggle to identify the words he would become frustrated and completely shut down.

Homework

• Write a passage of about 100 words, in which you use indirect characterization strategies to reveal a character's trait.

• Identify which of the S-T-E-A-L strategies you're using.

• Write a brief analysis of your own work, explaining what a reader should be able to infer from it. What character trait are you revealing, and how?

• Ideally (but optionally), this assignment will connect to the personal narrative that you've already started. Read through your latest draft, looking for sentences where you used direct characterization but could strengthen your piece by using indirect instead.