Characterization Review with Thank You Ma'am

​Characterization Review: Getting to know the characters

By Kali Burks

Characterization is how an author describes and gives details about the characters in their stories.

An author can be direct or indirect with this information.

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We already know...

The author gives you information about the characters directly by TELLING you important details.

This is clear, but sometimes boring.

Direct Characterization

The author gives clues that help you figure out the information about the characters.
This helps the story move along, but you have to pay close attention.

​​Indirect Characterization

Words they say
Actions they take
Looks and culture
Thoughts they have
Events that happen
Reactions to events or people

Characterization is the information about characters in a story.


Examples of indirect characterization can be found...

Write the following on your help sheet in your journal!

Multiple Choice

Let's Review:

What is characterization?

• information about the characters

• types of characters found in a story

• changing how a character is described

• information that helps find the theme of a story

Multiple Choice

Let's Review:

WALTER helps us remember the clues for...

• direct characterization

• indirect characterization

Match

Let's Review:

Match the letter of WALTER to what it stands for:

• W

• A

• L

Words

Actions

Looks

• Words

• Actions

• Looks

Match

Let's Review:

Match the letter of WALTER to what it stands for:

• T

• E

• R

Thoughts

Events

Reactions

• Thoughts

• Events

• Reactions

What does the author SHOW us about Roger?


Words:
"Yes ma'am." "No ma'am"
"There's nobody home at my house."

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Let's look at Roger from "Thank you, Ma'am"

What does the author SHOW us about Roger?


Actions:
-Attempts to steal Mrs. Jones' purse
-Washes his face after he's told to
-Sits where Mrs. Jones can see him.

​

Let's look at Roger from "Thank you, Ma'am"

What does the author SHOW us about Roger?
Looks:
"He looked as if he were 14 or 15, frail and willow-wind in tennis shoes and blue jeans."
Dirty face.

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Let's look at Roger from "Thank you, Ma'am"

Multiple Choice

Let's Practice:

What type of indirect characterization about Mrs. Jones is found here?
"The large woman started up the street, dragging the frightened boy behind her."

• Words

• Actions

• Looks

• Thoughts

Multiple Choice

Let's Practice:

What type of indirect characterization about Mrs. Jones is found here?
"I have done things too, which I would not tell you, son--neither tell God, if he didn't already know."

• Words

• Reactions

• Looks

• Thoughts

Multiple Choice

Let's Practice:

What type of indirect characterization about Mrs. Jones is found here?
"She was a large woman with a large purse that had everything in it but a hammer and nails."

• Words

• Reactions

• Events

• Looks

Now What?

Complete Day 1 and continue on to Day 2 of the "Thank you Ma'am" assignment in Canvas.

Finished assignment is due by Friday.

Last chance! Response Essay and questions due Friday