Characterization

Characterization

​Direct and Indirect Characterization

• ​Watch the video on Characterization using examples from the movie Frozen.

• ​Answer the questions below.

• ​Carefully read each passage, and decide whether the author is using direct or indirect characterization.

Multiple Choice

A character trait is an adjective that describes _________________.

• an emotion at a specific point in time
• personality
• appearance

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a character trait?

• adventurous
• tall
• sad
• irritated

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT a character trait?

• bossy
• scared
• responsible
• shy

Multiple Choice

If the author directly tells you what the character is like, that is:

• direct characterization
• indirect characterization

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of direct characterization?

• Jeff was compassionate when it came to taking care of his nephews.
• Jeff spoke gently to his nephews and catered to their needs.
• Jeff gave his nephews a big hug when he saw them.
• Jeff always asked about how his nephews were doing.

Multiple Choice

If the author shows you what the character is like through their thoughts, speech, and actions, it is

• direct characterization
• indirect characterization

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of indirect characterization?

• Marcia was a good listener and wonderful friend.
• Marcia felt the knot in her stomach grow when she saw the number of questions on the test, and she tugged her hair anxiously. 
• Marcia was a nervous person.
• Marcia was an optimist who always believed the best about people.

Multiple Choice

A character, Flora, goes on a field trip to an amusement park. She tells her teacher she’s scared to go on the roller coasters. “No way I’m going on those!” she thinks. Flora’s classmates comment on how she’s shaking and looks pale. Based on this evidence, one trait that describes Flora is ________.

• fierce

• timid

• talented

• bold

Multiple Choice

Jake is Cassie's older brother. One day they are walking home from school when a cold front rolls in and the temperature drops 20 degrees. Jake is dressed more appropriately for the weather than Cassie. He takes off his hooded sweatshirt and offers it to her. She gratefully accepts. Jake is now colder, but he is happier. What character trait does Jake demonstrate?

• Caring

• Rude

• Athletic

• Jovial

Multiple Choice

A character, Nicki, is friendly. The author shows this by having Nicki sit down at a lunch table with a group of kids she doesn’t know and introduce herself. What is the author using to show Nicki’s trait?

• Nicki's thoughts
• Nicki's feelings
• Nicki's actions

Multiple Choice

Craig is a football player training over the summer for next season. The coach demands that all players come in at 6:00 AM and lift weights until 8:00 AM, when practice begins, Craig gets there at 5:00 AM to begin his training. What character trait does Craig demonstrate?

• lazy

• confident

• irresponsible

• dedicated

Multiple Choice

Corey came back from the bathroom and noticed that her rainbow pencil was missing. She looked around the room and saw that Beth was using a rainbow pencil. Corey started crying uncontrollably and ran out of the room. What character trait does Corey demonstrate?

• cruel

• dramatic

• unintelligent

• greedy

Multiple Choice

Kelvin found a wallet on the ground. He opened up the wallet and saw a woman's ID card. Kelvin took the ID out of the wallet, walked to the woman's house, and returned the wallet to her.

What character trait does Kelvin demonstrate?

• nosey

• dishonest

• curious

• honest

Multiple Choice

Jonathan invited a bunch of friends over to his house. He then talked to them for hours about all the trophies that he had won, his rare comic book collection, and how much money his dad makes. His friends did not enjoy their time at Jonathan's. What character trait does Jonathan demonstrate?

• boastful

• modest

• boring

• unfriendly

Multiple Choice

Joseph was always laying on the couch watching TV. He never completed his homework, nor did he help around the house with chores.

This is an example of which type of characterization?

• Direct

• Indirect

Multiple Choice

James is a hard-worker. He goes to work at 5:00 in the morning and doesn’t come home until 5:00 at night! That is a 12 hour work day! James is so dedicated to his job.

This is an example of which type of characterization?

• Direct

• Indirect

• both

Multiple Choice

Cynthia is very mature. She is the school class President, and she is beautiful and smart. Everyone wants to be her friend

This is an example of which type of characterization?

• Direct

• Indirect

• Both

Multiple Choice

“We did it! We did it! We did it!” Mei boasted, slapping her hand against the table, scattering toast crumbs, knocking aside teaspoons and almost smearing the butter in her zeal. “Whoa!” her brother exclaimed, startled. “Well, congratulations!” Mei stood up and triumphantly strutted around the kitchen, transforming her walk around the breakfast table into a victory parade. Her brother laughed, surprised and amused. “Who are you, and what have you done with my sister, Mei?” he teased. Based on the passage, what can you infer about the main character Mei?

• Mei is always outgoing and loud.
• Mei is timid.
• Mei is not very athletic.
• Mei is not usually so boastful and energetic.