Characterization Lesson 2025

Characterization

The art of making characters come to life.

Indirect Characterization

Direct Characterization

Static Character

Dynamic Character

Multiple Choice

What is characterization?

• Character traits

• What a character says and thinks

• The process in which the author reveals the personality and appearance of a character.

• What a character looks like

Match

Match the following concepts to their proper definition:

• When an authors TELLS you something about a character

• When an authors SHOWS you something about a character

• When a character's personality is revealed and developed

Direct Characterization

Indirect Characterization

Characterization

• Direct Characterization

• Indirect Characterization

• Characterization

Match

Match the following concepts to their proper example for ways an author may utilize INDIRECT characterization:

• Nick anxiously wondered, "How am I going to run a whole mile in Phys. Ed today?"

• "Don't you dare touch my colored pencils!" Sally shouted.

• "Louie stopped to help the 7th grader pick up his books."

• "The girls smiled and giggled when Stefan walked into the classroom."

Thoughts

Speech

Actions

Reactions

• Thoughts

• Speech

• Actions

• Reactions

Multiple Choice

What character trait is revealed here?

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

• selfish
• sneaky
• thrifty
• rude

Multiple Choice

What character trait is revealed in this passage?

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

What type of characterization is best shown in the following example?

Brandon leaned back in his chair during the lecture.  He was bored with the class's discussion of rock formations.

• direct characterization
• indirect characterization

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of INDIRECT characterization?

• Marcia was a good listener and wonderful friend.
• Marcia felt the knot in her stomach grow when she saw the number of questions on the test, and she tugged her hair anxiously. 
• Marcia was a nervous person.
• Marcia was an optimist who always believed the best about people.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of DIRECT characterization?

• Jeff was compassionate when it came to taking care of his nephews.
• Jeff spoke gently to his nephews and catered to their needs.
• Jeff gave his nephews a big hug when he saw them.
• Jeff always asked about how his nephews were doing.

Multiple Choice

A character, Nick, is friendly. The author SHOWS this by having Nick sit down at a lunch table with a group of kids he doesn’t know and introduce himself.

What is the author using to show Nick's character trait?

• Nick's thoughts

• Nick's feelings

• Nick's actions

• Nick's words

Multiple Select

What type of characterization is shown (choose 2):

While in the lunch room, Louie thought to himself, "Wow, Nick just left his friends to go sit down at the table with those new kids. What a simple yet kind thing to do."

• Physical Appearance
• Thoughts, Speech, and Actions
• Other Characters Reactions
• Narrator's Comments

Open Ended

"Aaron leaped from the plane without so much as a moment’s hesitation. Although he was extremely fit, it was more difficult than he had expected to hold his arms at his sides and arch his body into a steep glide. Skydiving was as exciting as he had hoped."

What does this quote reveal about Aaron? Both DIRECTLY and INDIRECTLY?