Characterization

Characterization Characterization is revealed both directly and indirectly. Characterization is revealed both directly and indirectly.

Direct Characterization Direct: writers make direct statements about the character’s appearance, habits, goals, values, beliefs. (They “tell”). Direct: writers make direct statements about the character’s appearance, habits, goals, values, beliefs. (They “tell”).

Indirect Characterization Indirect: writers report a characters’ words, thoughts, actions, and interactions without commenting on them. (They “show”- you need to infer). Indirect: writers report a characters’ words, thoughts, actions, and interactions without commenting on them. (They “show”- you need to infer).

“STEAL” with Indirect Characterization ‘STEAL’ stands for: ‘STEAL’ stands for: Speech Speech Thoughts Thoughts Effects on Others Effects on Others Actions Actions Looks Looks

STEAL Speech: What does the character’s speech reveal about them? Speech: What does the character’s speech reveal about them? Ex. “Like Oh, My God!!” Ex. “Like Oh, My God!!” ‘I don’t care that I slammed his face in pie; he deserved it.” ‘I don’t care that I slammed his face in pie; he deserved it.”

STEAL Thoughts: What does the character’s inner thoughts tell about their motives? Who they are? Thoughts: What does the character’s inner thoughts tell about their motives? Who they are? Monologue or soliloquy Monologue or soliloquy

STEAL Effects on Others: How does the character interact with others? What does it reveal about them? Effects on Others: How does the character interact with others? What does it reveal about them? How they speak to people, how they treat people. How they speak to people, how they treat people.

STEAL Actions: What does the character’s actions reveal about them? Their motives? Actions: What does the character’s actions reveal about them? Their motives? Talkative Talkative Relaxed Relaxed Spastic Spastic Temper Tantrum Temper Tantrum

STEAL Looks: How does the character’s looks reflect who they are? What image are they presenting? Looks: How does the character’s looks reflect who they are? What image are they presenting?

The process of showing how a character changes or revealing different sides of the character’s personality is called character development. The process of showing how a character changes or revealing different sides of the character’s personality is called character development.