Characterization

Draw

Draw your favorite character in a text.

​Key Elements of a Literary Text

• Setting

• Plot

• Characterization

• Conflict

• Point of View

• Theme

• Tone

We must have a solid understanding of these foundational elements of fiction in order to understand how they add layers of meaning or style to the text.

Match

Match the following plot elements to their roles in a text.

• Exposition

• Rising Action

• Climax

• Falling Action

• Resolution

Introduces setting & characters

Builds tension & develops conflict

Turning point of the story

Events leading to the conclusion

Wraps up the story & resolves conflicts

• Introduces setting & characters

• Builds tension & develops conflict

• Turning point of the story

• Events leading to the conclusion

• Wraps up the story & resolves conflicts

• 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

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

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

How would you describe the character of the lion?

• The lion is a static character because the text does not tell us that he undergoes a change in his way of thinking or learning a lesson

• The lion is a dynamic character because he undergoes a major change in his ways of thinking about the world

• 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

Open Ended

Name a round character from a movie or text.

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 is an example of direct characterization?

• Mary scribbled frantically as the teacher talked.

• Isa turned red whenever she spoke to the boy with the locker next to hers.

• He really meant what he said; for he was a very kind man.

• Taylor's eyes crinkled as she smiled at me.

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

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.

Which character trait does Corey demonstrate?

• active

• emotional

• suspicious

• reasonable

Multiple Choice

Anna volunteered to help Kylie clean her house. When Anna washed the mirrors, Kylie asked her if she used paper towels instead of newspapers. When Anna admitted that she had, Kylie asked her to redo them. Then, while Anna was sweeping, Kylie corrected her on her technique. "Don't just push the dirt around, Anna. SWEEP it," Kylie told Anna.

What character trait does Kylie demonstrate?

• unappreciative

• moody

• observant

• quick

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

Rocky's cousin brought him to a party. Rocky didn't know anyone at the party. Shortly after getting there, Rocky's cousin disappeared. Rocky made a lot of new friends at this party and had a great time.

Which character trait does Rocky demonstrate?

• affable

• timid

• curious

• kind

​Work Period

​Please visit Actively Learn and complete Characterization: "Count Dracula". This is from the second chapter of the novel. I will be playing an audio version of the text. The questions are about characterization.