Characterization

Characterization 101:

What You Need to Know

Indirect
Characterization

Characterization

1

3

2
What is it?

Character
Motivation

Types of
Characterization

4

6

5
Types of
Characters

Character
Traits

click the subtitle

the process through which
the writer brings forth the
nature, personality, and
physical appearance of the
characters

1
What is
Characterization?

- extremely important in the

story

- helps the reader understand

the character better

More About
Characterization…

Types of

Characterization

DIRECT vs. INDIRECT

2

Two Ways to Characterize:

DIRECT

directly & straight
up telling the
reader the
character’s actual
physical and
mental traits

ex: Pam is lazy.

INDIRECT

not outright providing the
reader with information;
author will only show how
the character speaks,
thinks, acts, or how other
characters react to him

ex: Pam didn’t like doing
anything but sitting on the
couch, watching television,
and eating snacks.

Two Ways to Characterize:

DIRECT

EXPLICIT:
directly stated

-TELLING

ex: Pam is lazy.

INDIRECT

IMPLICIT: not directly
stated - need to figure
it out based on
information provided

-SHOWING

ex: Pam didn’t like doing
anything but sitting on
the couch, watching
television, and eating
snacks.

Two Ways to Characterize:

DIRECT

1.Jonas was
uncomfortable.

2.

Lily was upset.

3.

Jonas was
excited.

INDIRECT

1.He shifted in his
chair, frowning.

2.

She held up a
clenched fist.

3.

Jonas watched and
cheered as Lily
marched proudly to
the stage.

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of characterization:

She was rich.

• DIRECT

• INDIRECT

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of characterization:

All Sally does when people are around is say weird things that nobody understands.

• DIRECT

• INDIRECT

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of characterization:

No matter what he read, every time Dylan opened a book, he'd be snoring in five minutes.

• DIRECT

• INDIRECT

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of characterization:

Joe was happy and having fun at the party.

• DIRECT

• INDIRECT

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of characterization:

Dee thinks that she is better than everyone else.

• DIRECT

• INDIRECT

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of characterization:

She wore a ten carat diamond necklace everywhere she went and made sure to mention it to everyone.

• DIRECT

• INDIRECT

Indirect
Characterization

- IMPLICIT: not directly stated
- need to figure it out based

on information provided

- SHOWING

3

STEAL

what the
character SAYS

how the

character ACTS

what the
character THINKS

what the character

LOOKS like

what EFFECT the
character has on others

​S

​T

E

​A

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CharacterTraitsvsCharacterEmotionsAdjectiveLists.pdf - Google Drive

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Types of

Characters

STATIC vs. DYNAMIC

4

undergoes a
significant change in
character, personality,
or perspective

Dynamic Character

Some changes could be...

major life
transition

coming-of-age
experience

trials &

tribulations

maturity

change of

heart

develop more

likeable qualities

Think DYNAMITE!!!

Dynamic Character

example: Ebenezer Scrooge
- starts as a mean miser who is

miserable and mean to his
employees

- ends as a nice, generous man who

starts appreciating his employees
and begins treating them well

Dynamic Character

does not undergo a
significant change in
character, personality,
or perspective

Static Character

(pretty much) the
same person
throughout the
story

goes through some
changes, but as a
person, doesn’t really
change

stays the same

Static Character

CHARACTER
TRAITS

Aspects of a person’s
behavior

5

- words that describe

character's personality or
qualities that make them who
they are

- how you would describe that

character to someone else

CHARACTER TRAITS

Character Traits

What are they?

- represent the way in which we

behave on a consistent basis

- core feature of our underlying values,

beliefs, and identity

- reveals who you are on the INSIDE
- may possess positive and negative

character traits

How to
Identify

Character

Traits

CharacterTraitsvsCharacterEmotionsAdjectiveLists.pdf - Google Drive

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CHARACTER
MOTIVATION

the reason behind a character’s

actions or behaviors

EXTRINSIC vs. INTRINSIC

6

Motivation:

EXTRINSIC
motivated to
earn a reward
or avoid a
punishment

example: plays a
sport because they
want a first-place
trophy

INTRINSIC

motivated because
the character
enjoys it & wants
to do it (personal
reward)

example: plays a sport
because they
genuinely love playing
it

Motivation:

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