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

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

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

 

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

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 has eye problems.

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

• Dee has a lot of friends.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

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

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

 

Static Characters...

• do not change during the story

• have little or no detail

• have lots of detail

• change during the story

Dynamic Characters

• do not change during the story

• have little or no detail

• have lots of detail

• change during the story

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Travis began the school year the same as always. He never studied or completed his homework. Each report card showed the same poor grades. Although his parents encouraged him, by the end of the year, he was still doing poorly.

What type of character is he?

• Static

• Dynamic

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Even though she loved to dance, Shannon was nervous about joining the dance team. She tried out and made it, but never said a word to anyone. At each dance practice, Shannon got a little more comfortable with her team. By the end of the season, not only did she make friends, but she even taught the team a few dance moves.

What type of character is she?

• Static

• Dynamic

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.3