1. Characterization English 10 Miss Barron Mrs. DeVries Ms. Handley Mrs. Harkins 13 September 2011

2. Characters: The Actors in a Story Stories tell us about ourselves (how we feel and behave) through the use of characters, or the actors in a story. Stories tell us about ourselves (how we feel and behave) through the use of characters, or the actors in a story. Participation Point Opportunity! What are some of the different types of characters? (Flat character is one example... but you can’t use it!)

3. How Do Authors Create Characters? Traits: characters’ special qualities Traits: characters’ special qualities Direct characterization: a writer tells us directly what the character is like. Direct characterization: a writer tells us directly what the character is like. Indirect characterization: writers reveal characters’ traits more subtly Indirect characterization: writers reveal characters’ traits more subtly Appearance Appearance Dialogue Dialogue Private thoughts (esp. when that character is the narrator, or “I” storyteller) Private thoughts (esp. when that character is the narrator, or “I” storyteller) Action Action Effects of actions on other characters Effects of actions on other characters The action of the story may provide clues about a character’s central desire and struggle The action of the story may provide clues about a character’s central desire and struggle Remember: a character’s mood may be different from his/her basic personality Remember: a character’s mood may be different from his/her basic personality

4. How Do Authors Create Characters? Dramatic monologue: form of poetry in which a single character addresses one or more silent listeners Dramatic monologue: form of poetry in which a single character addresses one or more silent listeners Soliloquy: when a character in a play speaks his or her thoughts directly to the audience Soliloquy: when a character in a play speaks his or her thoughts directly to the audience Participation Point Opportunity! Why might an author use direct characterization? Why might an author employ indirect characterization?

5. Types of Characters Flat character: two-dimensional, with only one or two key personality traits Flat character: two-dimensional, with only one or two key personality traits Round character: has three- dimensional qualities of real-life people, with many traits and complexities Round character: has three- dimensional qualities of real-life people, with many traits and complexities Stock character: character who fits our preconceived notions about a “type” (allows us to imagine the rest of their personality) Stock character: character who fits our preconceived notions about a “type” (allows us to imagine the rest of their personality)

6. Types of Characters Protagonist: main character, with just enough strengths, weaknesses, and contradictions to remind us of ourselves Protagonist: main character, with just enough strengths, weaknesses, and contradictions to remind us of ourselves Antagonist: the character or force that blocks the protagonist from achieving his or her goal Antagonist: the character or force that blocks the protagonist from achieving his or her goal Participation Point Opportunity! Define internal and external conflict. Participation Point Opportunity! Define internal and external conflict. Subordinate characters: other characters who may be less important, but may still reveal information about the main character Subordinate characters: other characters who may be less important, but may still reveal information about the main character

7. Types of Characters Dynamic character: someone who changes in an important way over the course of the story Dynamic character: someone who changes in an important way over the course of the story Capable of growing, learning, and changing Capable of growing, learning, and changing Change must be believable and is a clue to the story’s meaning Change must be believable and is a clue to the story’s meaning Static character: someone who is exactly the same at the end of the story as at the beginning (usually subordinate characters) Static character: someone who is exactly the same at the end of the story as at the beginning (usually subordinate characters) Participation Point Opportunity! What type of character would a protagonist most likely be, dynamic or static? Why?

8. Why Did He Do That? Motivation Motivation Characters are more believable when authors show what motivates, or causes, them to act as they do Characters are more believable when authors show what motivates, or causes, them to act as they do Usually, we have to find clues to infer, or guess, what these motives are (often as confusing as real people!) Usually, we have to find clues to infer, or guess, what these motives are (often as confusing as real people!)

9. Relationships Between Characters Questions to ask yourself to help you figure out the relationship between two characters: Questions to ask yourself to help you figure out the relationship between two characters: How do the characters speak to each other? Is their speech formal? Is it familiar? How do the characters speak to each other? Is their speech formal? Is it familiar? How do the characters influence each other’s actions, if at all? Does one character have power over the other? Is there a struggle for power? How do the characters influence each other’s actions, if at all? Does one character have power over the other? Is there a struggle for power? Does one character admire the other? Is there tension or conflict between them? Does one character admire the other? Is there tension or conflict between them?