1. Literary Response and Analysis: Characterization

2. Characterization is…. the method(s) an author uses to acquaint the reader with his or her characters. He or she may use any or all of four different methods of characterization.

3. 1. The author may describe the character’s physical traits or personality. Karen was small for her age, inclined to plumpness, but not fat. Her blue eyes viewed the people and events around her with a mixture of curiosity and wonder. Her straight blond hair hung halfway down her back, a silent symbol of her growing independence, for, with the stubbornness of youth, she ignored her parents’ suggestions to get it cut. She was not yet a woman, yet, on an impulse, would turn a somersault on the living room rug.

4. Answer the following questions: 1. Approximately how old is Karen? What details help you visualize her? What details reveal something about Karen’s personality? 1. Approximately how old is Karen? What details help you visualize her? What details reveal something about Karen’s personality?

5. 2.The author may show the character’s speech and behavior. “But why can’t I go? Karen wailed. “Everyone else is going. You never let me go anywhere. You just don’t want me to be popular and have lots of friends.” Karen wheeled around and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

6. Answer the following questions: 2. a. What does Karen reveal about her personality in this speech? b. What do her actions contribute to your picture of her? 2. a. What does Karen reveal about her personality in this speech? b. What do her actions contribute to your picture of her?

7. 3. The author may give the opinions and reactions of other characters toward this individual. “I’ve known Karen a long time, ever since first grade. We’ve been best friends since last year. I like her because… well, I guess it’s because she’s always so happy and sure of herself and she’s good at things like baseball and swimming and painting and stuff.” Jessica paused, then added, “Everybody likes her – she’s very popular with all the kids at school.”

8. Answer the following questions: 3. a. What is Jessica’s relationship with Karen? b. What do you learn about Karen from Jessica’s comments? 3. a. What is Jessica’s relationship with Karen? b. What do you learn about Karen from Jessica’s comments?

9. 4.The author may show the character’s thoughts and feelings. The sunlight trickled between the slats of the window blinds, splashing the carpet with bits of color. Karen stretched luxuriously, pleasantly aware of the relaxed sensation in her muscles. She really ought to get up, she thought to herself. Sophia was coming over at eleven. Maybe mother would fix them a picnic lunch and they could eat out in the backyard. Mrs. Henley was taking them to the beach in the afternoon. And she thought she should finish that letter to Jackie… maybe tonight. Karen stretched once more and, leaning over the side of the bed, proceeded to search for her slippers.

10. Answer the following questions: 4. a. What is Karen thinking about? What does this show about her personality? b. Describe her feelings. 4. a. What is Karen thinking about? What does this show about her personality? b. Describe her feelings.

11. Remember… An author may use any of, or all, four common methods of characterization: 1. The author may describe the character’s physical traits or personality. 2. The author may show the character’s speech and behavior. 3. The author may give the opinions and reactions of other characters toward this individual. 4. The author may show the character’s thoughts and feelings. An author may use any of, or all, four common methods of characterization: 1. The author may describe the character’s physical traits or personality. 2. The author may show the character’s speech and behavior. 3. The author may give the opinions and reactions of other characters toward this individual. 4. The author may show the character’s thoughts and feelings. character so that YOU can know and understand a character.