Characterization in Writing

Characterization

Writers use a variety of tools or techniques to make a character come alive on the page.

Two Types of Characterization

• Direct Characterization

• Indirect Characterization

Direct Characterization...

is exactly what it sounds like. The writer tells the reader what they need to know about the character. With this method, the reader doesn't really need to read between the lines.

Example:  “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.”

Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy is “patient” and the girl is “quiet.”

Indirect Characterization

• S - Speech

• T - Thoughts

• E - Effect on others

• A - Action

• L - Looks

Fill in the Blanks

What kind of person is Captain Jack Sparrow?

Write down two to three adjectives.

Fill in the Blanks

What kind of person is Maui?

Multiple Choice

What method of indirect characterization did we see in the Maui clip?

• Looks

• Speech

• Effects on others

• All three

Fill in the Blanks

Lord Farquaad is... (think of two words),

Multiple Choice

What is the MAIN method of indirect characterization (Lord Farquaad)?

• Speech

• Thoughts

• Effects on others

• Action

• Looks

Fill in the Blanks

Miranda from The Devil Wears Prada is ... (list two words).

Open Ended

How do you know Miranda is powerful?

Fill in the Blanks

Boss Baby is... (2 adjectives).

Fill in the Blanks

Severus Snape is...

Multiple Choice

Severus Snape's character is BEST revealed through...

• Effects on others and Thoughts

• Action and effects on others

• Speech and effects on others

• Speech and Looks

Fill in the Blanks

Felonius Gru is...

Multiple Select

Which techniques BEST reveal the kind of person Felonius Gru is? (Pick two).

• Speech

• Thoughts

• Effects on others

• Action

• Looks

Poll

How confident do you feel about identifying the 5 methods of Indirect Characterization?

• Very confident

• Somewhat confident

• I need more practice