Characterization Formative

If the author directly tells you what the character is like, that is:

• direct characterization
• indirect characterization

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

If the author shows you what the character is like and you have to infer, that is

• direct characterization
• indirect characterization

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

A character trait is an adjective that describes _________________.

• an emotion at a specific point in time

• personality

• appearance

In indirect characterization....

• the writer reveals the character through STEAL

• the character's personality is directly described by the author

Pam was smiling as she watched her new puppy playing in the sun. Carefully she picked it up, stroked its soft fur, and said, “I’ll take good care of you.” Pam had read several books about pet care, and she knew that a puppy would mean work as well as fun. She took the puppy inside the house and filled his bowl up with water.

Pam is ____________________________________.

• happy

• responsible

• detached

• nervous

Before going on to the next step, Brandon consulted his notes. He then reached for one of the chemicals on the shelf, which he slowly poured into the container. Then, he checked the next step. He said to himself, “I’m not going to let anything go wrong with this experiment.”

Brandon is ___________________________________.

• detail oriented

• thoughtless

• pessimistic

• happy

Arnold seems always to be in a bad mood lately. His sister has tried telling jokes to cheer him up but that hasn’t worked. His parents have tried to get him to tell them what’s bothering him, but he has refused. At present, Arnold just seems to enjoy being grumpy.

You learn about Arnold’s character traits ____________________________.

• through Arnold's actions

• through Arnold's thoughts

• through Arnold's looks

• through Arnold's speech

Barbara saw her sister, Ellen, heading across the street. “Who said you could borrow my bike?” Barbara yelled. “It’s an emergency,” said Ellen. “My bike has a flat tire and I’m late for soccer practice.” “You knew that tire was flat this morning,” said Barbara. “You never ask to borrow anything. You just take!” Then Barbara took the handle bars and began leading her bike away.

From this passage, you can tell that Ellen is _________________________________.

• cheerful

• shy

• gloomy

• irresponsible

Flora nervously bit her nails as she watched the judges taste her cake. She had worked hard preparing the tiny fondant flowers and painting the swirls on the icing; she'd even tried a new color. Paul finally announced, "Your flavors are quite unique! It's the first time I've ever seen a cake that color."

You can tell from the passage a character trait to describe Flora is __________.

• terrified

• clumsy

• creative

• vivacious

Smoke was billowing out of the stove as Nadiya opened it. She sighed loudly to herself as she tossed the cookies in the trashcan. Shaking her head, she whispered to herself, "Keep going! You can do this!" She began preparing another batch of cookies for the judges.

Based on the passage, a character trait to describe Nadiya is __________.

• energetic

• optimistic

• sneaky

• reasonable