Direct vs. Indirect Characterization

What is direct characterization?

• How the author (or a narrator) describes a character 

• What the character says or does within a text

What is indirect characterization?

• How the author (or a narrator) describes a character

• What the character says, does, and thinks within a text

What does STEAL stand for?

• Shakespeare, Tolkien, Ellison, Austen, and Le Guin

• shoe, tree, elephant, apple, letter

• showing, thinking, editing, analyzing, and listing

• speech, thoughts, effects on others, actions, and looks

Read the following passage and decide if it is a better example of direct or indirect characterization.

Peter wasn't interested in the TV show that was playing, but the remote control was all the way across the room, so he just watched it anyway. Jan would be home soon, and she could fetch it for him then.

• Direct

• Indirect

Read the following passage and decide if it is a better example of direct or indirect characterization.

Because Joe is an honest guy, he decided to return the chocolate bar he did not pay for.

• Direct

• Indirect

Read the following passage and decide if it is a better example of direct or indirect characterization.

Dr. Álvarez has been in her clinic since morning, spending time with her patients and listening to their concerns.

• Direct

• Indirect

Read the following passage and decide if it is a better example of direct or indirect characterization.

Johnny's group project was likely to win a prize because of his innovative thinking and good leadership skills.

• Direct

• Indirect

What can you infer about this character through indirect characterization? Whenever anyone tries to speak to Diana, she says, "You don't know me," rolls her eyes, and walks away.

• Dee has a difficult home life.

• Dee is rude and thinks she is better than everyone else.

• Dee has eye problems.

• Dee has a lot of friends.

Which types of indirect characterization are at play in the passage below? (Hint: there are 2 correct answers!)

Amanda arrived early to the meeting with her hair in a pristine ballerina bun and a Montblanc pen tucked behind her ear. Before she sat down, she smoothed out her pinstriped pencil skirt.

• Speech

• Thoughts

• Effect on others

• Actions

• Looks

Which types of indirect characterization are at play in the passage below? (Hint: there are 2 correct answers).

In their book group discussion, Zoe kept talking over the rest of her group members. When Leo tried to speak up, she interrupted him. After that, Leo didn't say anything for the rest of class.

• Speech

• Thoughts

• Effect on others

• Actions

• Looks