Characterization

What is direct characterization?

• Direct characterization is when the author directly tells the audience what a character is like.

• Direct characterization is when the author indirectly tells the audience what a character is like.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What is indirect characterization?

• Indirect characterization is a literary technique used only in non-fiction writing.

• Indirect characterization is showing a character's traits through physical appearance only.

• Indirect characterization is describing a character through direct statements about their personality.

• Indirect characterization is describing a character through their actions, thoughts, and dialogue.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How can an author use dialogue to show indirect characterization?

• Characters' dialogue should always directly state their personality traits

• Dialogue is irrelevant in character development

• Characters' dialogue can provide insights into their personalities, beliefs, motivations, and relationships with others.

• Dialogue only serves as a plot device and does not reveal character traits

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Explain the difference between direct and indirect characterization.

• Direct characterization is explicit, while indirect characterization is explicit.

• Direct characterization is implicit, while indirect characterization is explicit.

• Direct characterization is explicit, while indirect characterization is implicit.

• Direct characterization is implicit, while indirect characterization is explicit.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How can a character's actions reveal indirect characterization?

• A character's actions reveal indirect characterization by their physical appearance only.

• A character's actions reveal indirect characterization by their dialogue and speech patterns.

• A character's actions reveal indirect characterization by their thoughts and feelings.

• A character's actions can reveal indirect characterization by showing how they respond to situations, interact with others, make decisions, and handle conflicts.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Why is indirect characterization sometimes more effective than direct characterization?

• Indirect characterization leads to confusion and misinterpretation of characters.

• Direct characterization is always more detailed than indirect characterization.

• Direct characterization allows for more reader engagement than indirect characterization.

• Indirect characterization provides a more nuanced and engaging portrayal of characters by allowing readers to infer traits through actions, dialogue, and interactions.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Provide an example of indirect characterization through a character's thoughts or feelings.

• A character's inner thoughts expressing joy towards a situation or person.

• A character's feelings towards a situation or person being explicitly stated by another character.

• A character's thoughts being narrated by the author without any emotional context.

• A character's inner thoughts expressing dislike towards a situation or person.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Discuss the importance of both direct and indirect characterization in a story.

• Direct and indirect characterization have the same impact on character development

• Both direct and indirect characterization are important in a story as they work together to create well-rounded and believable characters.

• Indirect characterization is only used for minor characters

• Direct characterization is unnecessary in storytelling

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How can a character's interactions with other characters demonstrate indirect characterization?

• Character interactions reveal the character's favorite color

• Character interactions can show how they respond to conflict, their communication style, their empathy or lack thereof, their social skills, and their impact on others, all of which contribute to indirect characterization.

• Character interactions demonstrate their ability to fly

• Character interactions showcase their talent for playing the piano

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3