Characterization Showing Vs. Telling

What is Characterization? The techniques and manner that an author employs to present a character to his or her readers. These techniques include: name, appearance, actions, words, thoughts, feelings, and what others say about the character.

How does an author do it? Simply put, he either shows us or tells us. In Direct Characterization, the author explicitly tells us what a character is like.

For example: The patient boy and quiet girl were well mannered and never disobeyed their mother. Ed Johnson scratched his head in confusion as the sales rep explained Dralco’s newest engine performance diagnostic computer. The old mechanic hated modern electronics, preferring the old days when all he needed was a stack of manuals and a good set of tools.

So, showing the reader is considered… indirect characterization. You can remember the methods utilized by authors in indirect characterization by using an acronym, STEAL. S: Speech: the things said and how they are spoken T: Thoughts: the character’s private thoughts and feelings E: Effect on others: how do others react to or behave in relation to the character? A: Action: the things a character does L: Looks: How the character looks/how he or she dresses, etc.

For example, “That Ed Johnson,” said Anderson, watching the old mechanic scratch his head in confusion as the sales rep explained Dralco’s newest engine performance diagnostic computer. “He hasn’t got a clue about modern electronics. Give him a good set of tools and a stack of yellowing manuals with a carburetor needing repair, and he’d be happy as a hungry frog in a fly-field.”

Another example: Stanley’s eyes blazed as he surveyed the room.  The corners of his mouth pointed in a decidedly southerly direction.  Carol moved aside as he stalked past her.     “Look out for Stan,”  she whispered to Bart.  “He’s in another one of his moods.  I’d stay far away if I were you!”

Indirect (Showing) or Direct (Telling)? You decide! Julie owned a multitude of outfits and accessories, and it always took her forever to decide which combination might impress Trent. As usual, she called her sister several times for advice. After doing so, Julie decided to give the navy blue skirt with the white sweater a try. Julie held up six different outfits in front of the mirror and pondered which would go best with her navy blue shoes, pastel eye shadow and the diamond earrings she’d already procured from her overflowing vanity. After ninety minutes of mixing and matching, and cell-phoning her sister three times for advice, Julie finally made up her mind. She’d give the navy blue skirt and white sweater a try, hoping Trent would love it.

I remember learning about types of characters, but I do not remember what they are! Flat Character: a (usually) minor character that is two-dimensional. His or her character can be summed up in one to two sentences. Static Character: One that does not undergo substantial emotional change/growth from the beginning to the end of a work.

Round (often Dynamic) Character A complex, many-sided, seemingly three-dimensional character; he or she has the qualities to appear almost human. Often, this character will undergo change-or, at the very least, has the ability to change (when this occurs, the character is dynamic).

What the heck are Protagonists and Antagonists? Protagonist: The central character of a work; the author spends the most attention on him or her. Antagonist: any force in a work that is in conflict with the protagonist. It may be another character, an aspect of the environment, or even the protagonist’s own nature.

I am supposed to ‘Determine the Point of View’……huh? Who tells a story and, therefore, how it gets told determine the point of view. To determine the POV, ask: 1. Who is telling the story? 2. How much does that character get to know? 3. How deeply does the narrator look inside other characters and report their thoughts and feelings?

Points of View in a Nut Shell: First Person: the author tells the story from a specific character’s POV, using the pronouns, “I” and “we.” This limits the reader to only that perspective. Second Person: the least commonly used; the narrator tells the story to (usually) another character using “you.” Third Person: the story is told without knowing the narrator; “he” or “she” are used to refer to the characters.

I already knew all that. Tell me something I didn’t know! Omniscient POV: told in third person by a narrator with unlimited knowledge. We are able to see inside of any character the narrator wants us to, and the narrator also has the ability to comment or interpret a character’s behavior. Limited Omniscient: told in third person, but we are only privy to one chosen character’s experience. We do not know what others are thinking or feeling.

I’m very smart….Give me one more! Objective POV: the narrator disappears, never telling us what any character thinks or feels. We get to see what happens and hear what is said, but we get no comment, interpretation, etc. Think of it as watching a movie. The reader must infer what characters are like from the dialogue and action.