Characterization
Authored by Davis George
English
8th Grade
CCSS covered
Used 1K+ times
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About
This quiz focuses on characterization in literature, specifically targeting the fundamental concepts that 8th grade students need to master when analyzing how authors develop characters in fiction. The questions systematically cover the distinction between direct and indirect characterization, requiring students to understand that direct characterization involves explicit narrator statements about a character's traits, while indirect characterization reveals personality through subtler methods like actions, speech, thoughts, and effects on others. Students must grasp the concept that effective characterization makes fictional characters feel authentic and relatable, and they need to recognize the difference between physical traits (appearance) and character traits (inner qualities). The quiz also introduces the STEAL acronym (Speech, Thoughts, Effect, Actions, Looks) as a framework for identifying indirect characterization techniques, and students must apply their knowledge by distinguishing between examples of direct and indirect characterization in context. Created by Davis George, an English teacher in the US who teaches grade 8. This quiz serves as an excellent formative assessment tool to gauge student understanding before diving deeper into character analysis activities with complex literary texts. Teachers can use this as a quick warmup to activate prior knowledge, as guided practice during a characterization unit, or as homework to reinforce concepts taught in class. The quiz effectively prepares students for more sophisticated literary analysis by establishing the foundational vocabulary and concepts they need to discuss how authors craft memorable characters. This assessment aligns with Common Core standards RL.8.3, which requires students to analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents propel action, reveal character aspects, or provoke decisions, and supports the broader goal of developing close reading skills essential for middle school English language arts instruction.
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10 questions
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1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Characterization is _____
A method that authors use to show readers what a character's personality is like.
An author's opinion of a character that they are writing about.
A method used to show readers what a character looks llike.
Tags
CCSS.RL.7.3
CCSS.RL.8.3
CCSS.RL.9-10.3
CCSS.RL.11-12.3
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
An author's goal is to make characters seem _____.
perfect in every way
like characters in other books or stories
like real people
Tags
CCSS.RL.7.3
CCSS.RL.8.3
CCSS.RL.9-10.3
CCSS.RL.6.3
CCSS.RL.11-12.6
3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Character traits show a character's _____.
appearance
inner qualities
decision making skills
Tags
CCSS.RL.7.3
CCSS.RL.8.3
CCSS.RL.9-10.3
CCSS.RL.6.3
CCSS.RL.5.3
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Physical traits tell readers about a character's _____.
intelligence
fitness
appearance
Tags
CCSS.RL.7.3
CCSS.RL.8.3
CCSS.RL.9-10.3
CCSS.RL.6.3
CCSS.RL.11-12.6
5.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Direct characterization is when an author uses _____.
a character's thoughts
hints about a character
narration that directly describes the character
Tags
CCSS.RL.7.3
CCSS.RL.8.3
CCSS.RL.9-10.3
CCSS.RL.11-12.3
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
An author using indirect characterization _____.
shows character traits without telling them outright
reveals character traits quickly
uses the narration to directly reveal a character's personality
Tags
CCSS.RL.7.3
CCSS.RL.8.3
CCSS.RL.9-10.3
CCSS.RL.11-12.3
7.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Which of the following is NOT a method of indirect characterization?
the color of a character's hair
the character's thoughts
the character's actions
Tags
CCSS.RL.7.3
CCSS.RL.8.3
CCSS.RL.9-10.3
CCSS.RL.11-12.3
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