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

 

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.

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

• Appearance

Characterization is

• the central message in a story

• the problem in a story

• the process by which a writer reveals a character's personality and qualities

What does STEAL stand for?

• Speech, Thoughts, Effect on others, Actions, and Looks

• Statements, Time, Effort, Actions, and Love

• Solitude, Thoughts, Enthusiasm, Actions, and Loss

Read the quote below then choose if it is direct characterization or indirect characterization: " No wonder Johnny was hurt because his parents didn't want him."

• Direct characterization

• Indirect characterization

Read the following, then decide if it is direct characterization or indirect characterization: "Mark stomped to his room and slammed the door. Everything seemed so unfair.

• Direct characterization

• Indirect characterization