Characterization Notes

Characterization

​Characterization

the way the writer reveals the personality of a character (Character traits​)

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​There are TWO types of characterization

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​1. Direct Characterization

​2. Indirect Characterization

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​Watch this video to learn the difference between the TWO types of CHARACTERIZATION.

​Direct Characterization

​This is when the personality of a character is revealed to us.

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​The narrator TELLS us how their personality is.

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​Example: Karen was rude and obnoxious.

​Her personality: Rude and obnoxious

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

​Indirect Characterization

​​This is when the personality of a character is revealed to us.

​

​The narrator SHOWS us how their personality is.

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Multiple Select

How is the INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION demonstrated in the passage?

(Hint: there are 2 correct answers!)

Amanda arrived early to the meeting with her hair in a perfectly neat ballerina bun and an expensive, fancy pen tucked behind her ear.

Before she sat down, she smoothed out her pinstriped pencil skirt.

• Speech

• Looks

• Actions

• Effect on Others

• Thoughts

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 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

Is the following example direct or indirect characterization?

"Jane is a cruel person."

• Direct

• Indirect

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

What is a protagonist?

• The main character in the story.

• The bad guy in the story.

• A type of germ.

• A good guy.

Multiple Select

How do you know which character is the protagonist? Check ALL that apply.

• It's the good person

• It's the main character

• It's the character that faces the conflict

• It's the character that never gets in any trouble

Multiple Choice

What is an antagonist?

• The main character in a story.

• The bad guy in a story.

• The main force going against the main character.

• The hero.

Multiple Choice

How do you know which character is the antagonist?

• It is the character that is mean

• It's the character that is the villain/bad guy

• It's the character that the main character has a conflict with

• It's the character you know the most about

Multiple Choice

Which character is the main character in a story who faces/experiences the conflict.

• Protagonist

• Antagonist

• Remains the same throughout the text despite the events that occur.

• Character traits stay the same.

Static

• Grows or changes during the course of the text.

• Character traits change.​

​Dynamic

Types of characters

Multiple Choice

Travis began the school year the same as always. He never studied or completed his homework. Each report card showed the same poor grades. Although his parents encouraged him, by the end of the year, he was still doing poorly.

What type of character is he?

• Static

• Dynamic

Multiple Choice

Even though she loved to dance, Shannon was nervous about joining the dance team. She tried out and made it, but never said a word to anyone. At each dance practice, Shannon got a little more comfortable with her team. By the end of the season, not only did she make friends, but she even taught the team a few dance moves.

What type of character is she?

• Static

• Dynamic

Multiple Choice

Which type of character changes throughout the a story?

• Dynamic

• Static

• Not well developed

• Do not undergo significant changes.

• Play a supporting role.

Flat

• A major character that is changed by conflict.

• Well developed and show complex traits​

Round

Types of characters

Multiple Choice

Gru from "Despicable Me" is a ______ character because we see many sides of him and he reveals a change in his emotions.

• flat

• round

Multiple Choice

Which type of character does the reader only know a limited amount information about?

• Round

• Flat