Characterization The creation of imaginary persons that strike the reader as real within the context of the story

Expository Characterization A direct presentation of facts and other information about a character by the narrator or by another character A direct presentation of facts and other information about a character by the narrator or by another character Facts such as the character’s looks, age, background, social status, and so on Facts such as the character’s looks, age, background, social status, and so on Often these facts are presented at the beginning of the story Often these facts are presented at the beginning of the story

Dramatic Characterization Allowing the reader to draw his or her own conclusions about this character’s personality, values, attitudes, and relationships with other characters by observing the character in action—his or her speech, behavior, and recorded thoughts Allowing the reader to draw his or her own conclusions about this character’s personality, values, attitudes, and relationships with other characters by observing the character in action—his or her speech, behavior, and recorded thoughts

Character Types Flat Characters Flat Characters Have only one or two striking traits Have only one or two striking traits You can usually sum up a flat character in a word or two You can usually sum up a flat character in a word or two Static Character Static Character not growing or progressing to a better understanding of themselves or the world around them as a result of the events in the story not growing or progressing to a better understanding of themselves or the world around them as a result of the events in the story Things happen to such characters without things happening within them Things happen to such characters without things happening within them

Character Types Round Characters Round Characters The main character in the story is usually round The main character in the story is usually round Such characters are complex Such characters are complex They exhibit a greater number of character traits, some good and some bad They exhibit a greater number of character traits, some good and some bad

Character Types (Round Characters Continued) Readers usually learn more about them Readers usually learn more about them personal history, self image, goals and ambitions personal history, self image, goals and ambitions Dynamic Character Dynamic Character They are affected in some way by the events of the story They are affected in some way by the events of the story