1. Characterization
Direct vs. Indirect

2. Describe the person in this picture PHYSICALLY

3. Describe the child’s personality based on her actions.
Allie decided to paint her mother a picture for Mother’s Day. She wanted to surprise her mother so she tried to get all of the supplies by herself. Mom kept all the art supplies in the dark basement. Even though Allie was afraid of the dark, she grabbed a flashlight and ventured into the basement for the supplies. Since Allie is only five but didn’t want help from her mom, she made a giant mess and got paint all over her hands. Instead of crying, she decided to make a painting using her hands.

4. DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION
Definition: The way a character is described using a DIRECT description. The writer tells you EXACTLY how a character looks and acts.
Example: “The first man was small and quick, dark of face with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose” (Steinbeck 2).

5. INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION
Definition: The way a character is described through their ACTIONS. The reader must infer their personality traits and motivations based on what they DO.
Example: “George lay back on the sand and crossed his hands under his head, and Lennie imitated him, raising his head whether to see if he were doing it right” (Steinbeck 7).