Analyzing characters review

characterization

Characterization is how an author develops a character in the story. Through what a reader can see & what the reader can learn from what the character says, does, thinks & feels.

how-to characterize

Strong readers pay attention to what the character looks like and what they think

direct characterization

the author gives/tells you the description of the character (i.e. physical traits like eye color, hair color, fat/skinny, clothing & appearance)

Direct Characterization

When the author directly tells you what the character is like.

indirect characterization

reader must take an educated guess (inference) about the character based on what the character is saying, how they are acting, and what other people are in the story are saying about the character

Indirect Characterization

The reader infers the character’s qualities based on behavior, thoughts, actions, word choice, mannerisms, and interactions with others.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION?

• he is a yellow sponge with holes, he has blues, buckteeth, skinny arms and legs, and wears a white shirt and brown pants

• he is happy because he is smiling and making the thumbs up sign

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION?

• he is a pink starfish who is overweight, he has big eyes and no teeth, and he wears green shorts with purple flowers

• he is happy because he is smiling and jumping for joy

Multiple Choice

Makayla is kind to everyone.  Last week, when a new girl came to Makayla's class, Makayla showed her around the school and introduced her to all of her friends.
Which word best describes Makayla?

• cruel

• compassionate

• cheerful

• friendly

Multiple Choice

Tom is described as being very fit, healthy, tall, and strong. Based on this description, we can guess that Tom ___________________.

• eats junk food all day.

• likes to stay healthy and probably exercises a lot

• doesn't care about his health.

• likes to sleep in on the weekends.

Multiple Choice

After glancing around to make sure she wasn't being watched, Marissa slide the candy bar into her pocket. She walked out of store casually, not stopping to pay.

• selfish

• sneaky

• thrifty

• rude

Multiple Choice

Jonathan looked at the homeless dog walking down the street of his neighborhood. He approached the dog, slowly and 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

Javier was shopping at the grocery store for some olives. He needed a lot of olives, so he grabbed the large jar off of the shelf. Then he noticed the price. The large jar contained 20 oz. of olives and it cost $3.99. He looked at the small jar of olives. It contained 10 oz. of olives and cost $1.49. Javier put the large jar back and purchased two small jars of olives.   What character trait does Javier demonstrate?

• Heroic

• Cruel

• Angry

• Intelligent

Multiple Choice

You asked him nicely to borrow his pencil, but Pete yelled, "No! If you didn't come prepared, it's not my fault!" What character trait describes Pete?

• inconsiderate

• upset

• happy

• mad

Multiple Choice

Kelvin found a wallet on the ground. He opened up the wallet and saw an old woman's ID card. Kelvin took the money out of the wallet and threw the wallet in a ditch.

What character trait does Kelvin demonstrate?

• Melancholy

• Impoverished

• Selfish

• Skittish

Multiple Choice

Courtney asked her neighbor if she could borrow an egg to complete a recipe that she had already started. The next day Courtney returned an egg to her neighbor along with a thank you card expressing her sincere gratitude.

What character trait does Courtney demonstrate?

• Stingy

• Appreciative

• Flabbergasted

• Acceptable

Multiple Choice

Which indirect characterization using speech tells the reader that Linda is generous?

• Linda approached the boy who spilt his lunch and said, "Here, take half of my sandwich. I don't need all of it."

• Linda approached the boy who spilt his lunch and said, "Bummer."

Multiple Choice

What direct characterization helps the reader know Linda is a nice girl.

• Linda is rude. She only cares about herself.

• All of Linda's classmates say that Linda is the kindest girl in the grade.

Multiple Choice

Which indirect characterization using thoughts tells us that Linda is kind?

• Linda couldn't stop thinking about the girl who lost he dog. She knew she had to go help her look for the dog.

• Linda felt bad for the girl who lost her dog.

Multiple Choice

Which indirect characterization using effects (relationships) tells us that Linda is kind?

• Every time Linda walked into the room, her classmates smiled.

• Every time Linda walked into the room, her classmates were afraid.

Multiple Choice

Which indirect characterization using actions tells us that Linda is thoughtful?

• Linda kept the last pencil she had for herself.

• Linda offered her friend the last pencil she had in her pencil box.

Multiple Choice

Which indirect characterization using looks tells us that Linda is kind?

• Linda always wears a warm smile on her face when talking to someone.

• Linda clenches her fists when she has to talk to someone.

Multiple Choice

Q. 

This type of characterization tells the reader the qualities of a character by directly stating them

• direct characterization

• indirect characterization

Multiple Choice

Q. 

This type of characterization requires the reader to infer meaning based on what the character says, does, or thinks. It can also be inferred from what other characters say.

• direct characterization

• indirect characterization

Multiple Choice

Daren showed up at the banquet with food stains all over his dress shirt. He sat down, put his feet on the table, and burped loudly. The other people sitting at the table looked at each other but continued eating.

What character trait does Daren demonstrate?

• efficient

• obnoxious

• generous

• patriotic

• stubborn

Multiple Choice

When Angela asked her mother if she could go to the party, her mother said that she could not. So Angela asked her father, who said that she could. She then played her parents off of one another until she got her way. Angela enjoyed herself at the party.

What character trait does Angela demonstrate?

• glamorous

• quarrelsome

• bashful

• manipulative

• honest

Multiple Choice

Courtney asked her neighbor if she could borrow an egg to complete a recipe that she had already started. The next day Courtney returned an egg to her neighbor along with a thank you card expressing her sincere gratitude.

What character trait does Courtney demonstrate?

• gracious

• flippant

• mischievous

• vengeful

• imaginative

Multiple Choice

It was the bottom of the ninth inning and the home team was down by one. There was a man on second base when Bruce stepped up to the plate. Bruce pointed to right field. The pitcher threw his fastball. Bruce got a hold of it and sent it flying to right field. The home team won.

What character trait does Bruce demonstrate?

• deceitful

• confident

• humble

• respectful

Multiple Choice

Jason is an excellent accountant who works full-time for his best friend's company. A larger accounting firm contacts Jason and offers to pay him twice if he will work for them. Jason thanks the company for their offer but declines. He doesn't even tell his friend that he received the offer.

What character trait does Jason demonstrate?

• gullible

• loyal

• malicious

• industrious

• manipulative

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 exhibit?

• eager

• selfish

• encouraging

• dedicated

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 show?

• considerate

• selfish

• cautious

• respectful

Multiple Choice

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

Which character trait does Kevin demonstrate?

• persistent

• upbeat

• honorable

• rich

Multiple Choice

Is the following example direct or indirect characterization?

"Jane is a cruel person."

• Direct

• Indirect

Multiple Choice

Read the following passage and decide if it is direct or indirect characterization:

"Because Joe was an honest guy, he decided to return the chocolate bar he did not pay for."

• direct

• indirect

Multiple Choice

 

Read the following passage and decide if it is direct or indirect characterization:

Peter wasn't interested in the TV show that was playing, but the remote control was all the way across the room, so he just watched it anyway. Jan would be home soon, and she could fetch it for him then.

• Direct

• Indirect

Multiple Select

Choose all of the examples of Direct Characterization below (3 total)

• Mike was extremely wealthy.

• Is anyone even listening to me? she wondered.

• The grumpy girl doesnt like her calm mom.

• Her smile would light up the room.

• She was a cheery, always upbeat person.

Multiple Select

Choose all of the examples of Indirect Characterization below (3 total)

• Wealth never knocked on Mike's door.

• Raheem is always distracted, but one thing he always pays attention to is PIZZA.

• Mike was extremely wealthy.

• She had anger issues.

• "Are you feeling ok?" Jessica looked at her friend with concern in her eyes.