CHARACTERIZATION

 Characterization is the process by which the writer reveals the personality of the character.

Two Types of Characterization Direct Characterization the writer makes direct statements about a character’s personality and TELLS what the character is like. Think adjectives. Indirect Characterization the writer SHOWS what a character is like through that character’s thoughts, words, and actions, along with how other characters respond to that character, including what they think and say about him/her. Think verbs.

Direct Characterization Gary is a nice and caring person. Gary can sometimes be very mean or rude. Indirect Characterization Gary watched his little brother for two hours while their mother was ill, taking care of his every need. He did this without being asked and he did not ask for anything in return. “The next thing I know, Gary was tearing up my rose garden,” said his grandmother as she gave her statement to the police. She was still badly shaken after the attack.

There are FIVE methods of INDIRECT characterization. Let’s add these to our KIM chart. Speech Thoughts Effect Actions Looks

S... SPEECH The author allows us to hear the character speak and through those conversations we learn about the character’s personality

How would you describe a character who says…  “I stole the money from my Grandmother.”  “Loneliness seems to be taking over my life.”  “I can’t wait to go to school tomorrow!”

T... THOUGHTS The author allows us to listen to the character’s inner thoughts and feelings

What if a character thinks…  Should I go talk to the boy? No. Well…maybe I should. Maybe not…  I wish I never said that in class. I feel so stupid right now. I bet everyone is staring at me.

E... EFFECT on Others  The author may reveal what other people in the story think or say about the character

What if …  Whenever a character enters the room and people stop what they are doing …  When the character exits a building and girls scream, “I LOVE YOU!” cry, and run towards him...  The character walks down the street and people walk in the opposite direction….

A... ACTIONS  The author may show us what the character does—how he or she acts in certain situations

What if a character…  Pushes an elderly lady to the ground.  Feeds a homeless person food.  Cries continuously in every situation.

L... LOOKS  The author may describe how the character looks and dresses

What if a character…  Dresses like a bag lady?  Wears curlers in her hair and talks to herself?  Has hair down to his ankles and carries a guitar everywhere?

SPEECH

THOUGHTS

EFFECTS

ACTIONS

LOOKS

Reader’s Journey Please turn to page 102.

MOTIVATION  The character’s reason for doing something. Can be driven by a need, feeling or desire. I’m hungry!

MOTIVATION  The character’s reason for doing something. Can be drive by a need, feeling or desire. I need shelter!

MOTIVATION  The character’s reason for doing something. Can be drive by a need, feeling or desire. I’m afraid!

MOTIVATION  The character’s reason for doing something. Can be drive by a need, feeling or desire. I’m jealous!

MOTIVATION  The character’s reason for doing something. Can be drive by a need, feeling or desire. I have the POWER!

MOTIVATION  The character’s reason for doing something. Can be drive by a need, feeling or desire. I have the MONEY!

TRAITS Qualities, attitudes and values of a character...

Types of Characters

VideoVideo Timeout: Dynamic/Static (try Google Chrome if it doesn’t work in Internet Explorer.)

Types of Characters Protagonist - the leading character, hero, or heroine  Antagonist - the adversary of the hero or protagonist  Dynamic – changes or develops  Static – not changing

Protagonists Antagonists

VideoVideo Timeout CHARACTERIZATION (try Google Chrome if it doesn’t work in Internet Explorer.)

 Describe the following characters with your knowledge of characterization

THEME  A message about life or human nature that the writer shares with the reader.  Theme can be:  Stated - directly or immediately obvious.  Implied - not stated, but is inferred.

THEME  How to identify:  What is the subject or the topic?  Identifying stated theme: Does the writer state a direct message to readers?  Identifying implied theme: What are key character traits?  Do the characters change?  How is the conflict resolved?  Does the title mention any important details?

THEME My heart, thinking “How beautiful he is” Is like a swift river Which though one dams it and dams it Will still break through Lady Otomo (Japan, 8 th century AD) Translated by Arthur Waley What is the subject of the poem? Does the writer state the theme directly or is the theme implied? What do you think the theme of this poem is? The speaker’s emotions. Implied Love is unstoppable

STYLE The way a particular work is written – not what is said, but how it is said. Sentence structure: arrangement of words in a sentence. Shown by their use of simple or complex sentences. Word choice: type of language an author uses, such as formal or informal, neutral or moody, and imagery. Tone: the attitude a writer takes toward a subject

STYLE Steps to identify style: Examine word choice. Is the level of the language formal or informal? Look for patters or variety in sentence structure. Simple or complex? Evaluate how word choice and sentence structure affect tone. Casual tone, serious tone, humorous tone, critical tone?

STYLE Examples: Formal – “The pleasure of your company is requested at a gala birthday celebration on June 5 at 8PM in honor of Mr. Jon Westerby III.” Informal – “Hey, we’re having a birthday bash for our bud Jon. Saturday night. June 5, at 8. Be there or be square!”

STYLE Your turn! At the door Tom dropped back a step and stopped a Sunday- dressed comrade: “Say Billy, got a yaller ticket?” “Yes.” “What’ll you take for her?” “What’ll you give?” “Piece of lickrish and a fish-hook.” - from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain

STYLE Your turn! I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance. The poet’s, the writer’s, duty is to write about these things. - William Faulkner, “Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech”