CHARACTERIZATION The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.
DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION Explicitly states what the character is like Example: “Addison was a shy and quiet girl who averted her eyes whenever anyone looked her way.” Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of Addison.
INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION The reader must use textual clues to infer the character’s personality traits and motivation. Think about the following: The character’s actions The character’s thoughts What a character says How other characters react to him or her What other characters say about him or her
Look for examples of both direct and indirect characterization from the following passage in “Thank You, Ma’am,” a short story by Langston Hughes: She was a large woman with a large purse that had everything in it but a hammer and nails. It had a long strap, and she carried it slung across her shoulder. It was about eleven o’clock at night, and she was walking alone when a boy ran up behind her and tried to snatch her purse. The strap broke with the single tug the boy gave it from behind. but the boy’s weight and the weight of the purse combined caused him to lose his balance, so instead of taking off full blast as he had hoped, the boy fell on his back on the sidewalk, and his legs flew up. The large woman simply turned around and kicked him right square in his blue-jeaned sitter. Then she reached down, picked the boy up by his shirt front, and shook him until his teeth rattled.
Indirect CharacterizationDirect Characterization
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT Round Character Flat Character A well-developed character with varied traits, both good and bad. A less developed character with one or a few traits, typically one-sided.
A character that develops and changes over the course of the story due to a conflict or some newfound knowledge. i.e. Scrooge in A Christmas Carol A character that does not change over the course of the story. i.e. Cinderella’s stepmother Dynamic Character Static Character