Characterization Analysis

Sally trembled as she slowly inched towards the mysterious box.

• direct characterization

• indirect characterization

The soldier wore his dress blues for the event; shined black leather shoes that shone in the light, perfectly pressed pants and a jacket displaying his rank.  He was a tall man that stood out in a room.  Almost six foot seven inches, he towered over most of his peers. (Unknown) This passage provides what kind of evidence in an analysis?

• Speech

• Thoughts

• Effect on others

• Looks

What can you use to figure out what a character’s traits are? 

• what the character says

• how other characters react to the character

• what the character thinks

• all of the above

A character, Flora, goes on a field trip to an amusement park. She tells her teacher she’s scared to go on the roller coasters. “No way I’m going on those!” she thinks. Flora’s classmates comment on how she’s shaking and looks pale. Based on this evidence, one trait that describes Flora is ________. 

• fierce

• cowardly

• talented

• bold

David found a wallet on the ground. He opened up the wallet and saw an old woman’s ID card. David took the wallet to the woman’s house, and returned it to her.   What character trait does David demonstrate? 

• honest

• friendly

• irritated

• fearless

What are some examples of indirect characterization?

• Describing a character's appearance

• Showing a character's traits through their actions, thoughts, or dialogue.

• Revealing a character's thoughts through narration

• Using direct statements to describe a character's personality

Read the following sentences from a story. Choose the character trait that best describes Grandpa. 
Grandpa was 85 years old and had gone through many experiences in his life. Everyone in Grandpa’s building went to him for advice. He always had the right answers. He helped people with their problems and gave them great recipes to try. “I’ve never met someone who knows as much as you do, Gramps!” exclaimed Simon. 

• wise

• fortunate

• maginificent

• elegant

“I didn’t trust her.  And some small gnarled place inside me hated her for her weakness, for her neglect, for the months she had put us through.  Prim forgave her, but I had taken a step back from my mother, put up a wall to protect myself from needing her and nothing was ever the same between us again.” (Hunger Games) This passage provides what kind of evidence in an analysis?

• Speech

• Thoughts

• Effect on others

• Looks

When vandals burned down the orphanage, Ms. Cleary started a fundraising campaign and donated $5,000 of her own money. After nine months of hard work from Ms. Cleary and her team, the funds were raised and the orphanage was rebuilt. What character trait does Ms. Cleary BEST demonstrate?

• Outgoing- Ms. Cleary likes to be involved in others' lives.

• Generous- Ms. Cleary gave her own money, her time, and worked hard for the orphanage.

• Selfish- Ms. Cleary wanted all the credit for saving the orphanage.

• Thoughtful- Ms. Cleary weighed the options and made the best decision to raise money for the orphanage.

None of Doris’ friends trust her.  She often tells lies to make herself look better or to keep herself out of trouble.  For instance, she told her friends that she couldn’t go to the Halloween dance because she was going to a concert.  She was actually grounded and thus unable to go. 

• animated

• deceitful

• critical

• happy