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Characterization

is the way in which an author creates personality within characters.

Open Ended

Think about your favorite character from a book, movie, tv show, etc. Who is it?

Open Ended

Now what is that character's personality traits? List them below:

Open Ended

Think about the personality traits that you just listed. How did you come up with those? What certain parts of the show/book/movie portray those?

Direct Characterization

This is when the author gives us explicit details about a character. They DIRECTLY tell us about them. Ex, Sophie is angry, Katie has red hair, Dylan likes to go camping

Indirect Characterization

The other type of direct characterization is indirect characterization. This is when the author gives us clues to the character's personality through their Speech, Thoughts, Effect on others, Actions, and Looks (STEAL).

Speech - Indirect Characterization

What a character says can reveal a lot about their personality. Do they always speak kindly? Do they say mean things? Are they sarcastic?

For example, if a character says, "I don't see why you won't give me everything I want! I definitely deserve it!" 

THOUGHTS - INDIRECT

Sometimes the author will let us know what the character is thinking. In first person texts we get a lot of thoughts from the main character. In third person texts, sometimes the author will choose to let us in on what the character is thinking.

Authors use thoughts to help build the character's personality.

For example, Tina watched the couple. I'm very happy for them, she thought, but I really wish that was me getting married!

Based on these thoughts, we could infer that...

EFFECTS ON OTHERS

Other people's reactions to a character can tell us a lot about them. Authors will use relationships between characters to help characterize them.

For example,

As Jimmy walked down the hall, the rest of the students scattered with looks of fear in their eyes.

Based on the other students reactions to Jimmy, we can infer that

ACTIONS

They say actions speak louder than words. What a character does can tell us a lot about them.

For example,

Tina kicked the puppy. Based on that action, we can infer that Tina is mean and a bad person.

Katie helped the old lady with her groceries. Based on this, we can infer that

LOOKS

Although this one is sometimes difficult, authors will give characters certain looks to help us gain insight into their personalities. This can be what a character wears or a physical description.

For example, in Harry Potter, JK Rowling gives Harry untidy hair, perhaps symbolizing his laid back or impulsive personality.

Multiple Choice

Michael stormed out of the room and slammed his books on the desk. He thought that he'd for sure made an A on his test. He studied all night, but when he looked at the test, he realized that he studied the wrong chapters.

Michael was a great athlete. He really needed that A so that he could play the game on Friday. Luckily for him, it was Tuesday, and his teacher was going to allow him to retake it on Thursday.

Which indirect characterization from the story suggests that Michael is frustrated?

• He was a great athlete

• Michael stormed out of the room and slammed his books on the desk.

• He thought he forsure made an A.

• He studied all night

Multiple Choice

Joshua was a smart and intelligent boy. He always did his homework and studied hard. It showed up each time he took a test and aced it.

When he arrived at school each day, he would ask his teachers if they needed him to take the chairs down or make copies. He enjoyed going to each class and doing little jobs for his teachers.

Which statement is an example of direct characterization of Joshua?

• He was a smart and intelligent boy.

• He would ask his teachers if they needed him to take chairs down or make copies.

• He enjoyed going to each class.

• Each time he took a test and aced it.

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?

• sophisticated

• careful

• mannerly

• sloppy

Fill in the Blanks

The acronym for indirect characterization is