1. Objective
Through the study of complex plot elements, the student will be able to explain characterization and demonstrate understanding by creating a visual representation of the types of characterization and STAR process.

2. Picture This:
It’s your first day in school. You are nervous enough as it is when a big kid comes down the hall and slams you with his backpack.
“Get out of the way,” the kid screams as if it was your fault. You’re in a hurry to get to class, so you let this slide.
After lunch, you are at your locker when the guy from the hallway is headed your way again. “Great,” you think only to realize he is coming to the locker beside you.
“What is your problem?” he demands looking at you. You want to tell him to mind his own business or maybe offer him a hug, but before you can get a word out, he slams his locker door open and right into your shoulder.
“This is my hall and my school!” He screams. “As soon as you realize where you are and what you’re doing you might make it to the end of the day in one piece. Otherwise, you don’t want to be running in to me again!”
Do you like this guy? Why or why not?

3. Characterization
Based on your prior knowledge and parts of the word, what is characterization?
Characterization is the way in which an author reveals a character.
We characterize people all the time. Think about a person you would never trust. Why do you not trust him or her?

4. Characterization
Characterization is the way an author reveals a character or describes character traits
There are two ways an author can develop character:
Direct characterization
Indirect characterization

5. Direct Characterization
The writer makes direct statements about a character's personality and tells what the character is like.
For example:
If the narrator in “Thank You, Ma’m” told us that Mrs. Jones was tough, nurturing, and generous.

6. Indirect Characterization
the writer reveals information about a character and his personality through:
The character's words
The character’s thoughts
The character’s actions
The character’s appearance
How other characters respond to them: what they say or think about them

7. Characterization Acronym
S- says
T- thinks
A- acts or appears
R- react or respond

8. Direct or Indirect?
A. 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.

9. Direct or Indirect?
B. 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.

10. Quickwrite
Sometimes people try to take advantage of us when we least expect it. Think of a time someone took advantage of you. Describe the situation and include details of how you chose to deal with it. Did you forget it? Get revenge? Ignore it?

11. Story Preview
Thinking only of our quickwrite and the title of the story, what do you think this story is likely to be about?
Look at the pictures. Do the pictures give any additional information about what might happen in the story?
Look for any text that stands out. Maybe a quote somewhere on the page. How might that fit into your story prediction?
Scan for character information for the next 30 seconds. What characters did you find? What do you know about them?
What hints about the setting have you found?

12. Goldie Locks Has Chicken Pox
Type of Indirect Characterization
Example
Explanation
S- SAYS
T-THINKS
A-ACTS
A-APPEARANCE
R-RESPONSE