1. Story Elements
Characterization

2. Character
A person or an animal that performs the action in a story. There are two meanings for the word character.
The person in a work of fiction.
The characteristics of a person.

3. Persons in a work of fiction
One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to the character- PROTAGONIST
The opposer of the main character-
ANTAGONIST

4. The Characteristics of a Person
In order for a story to seem real to the reader its characters must seem real. Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the characters themselves. The author may reveal a character in several ways.
His/her physical appearance
What he/she says, thinks, feels, and dreams
What he/she does or does not do
What others say about him/her and how others react to him/her

5. Characters are… Individual Developing Round Many sided
Complex personalities
Developing
Dynamic
Many sided personalities that change
For the better
Or for the worst

6. Characters are… Static Stereotype
Have one or two characteristics that never change
Are emphasized (such as)
brilliant
Drunk
Scrooge
Cruel
Nice
Hoodlum
Wicked
Kind

7. Characterization
The ways in which a writer makes a character seam real. This can be done by…
Sharing a characters
Conversations
Thoughts
Actions

8. Characterization…continued
Describes the character’s appearance

9. Characterization…continued
Showing what others think of the character…

10. Main Character
The most important character in the story, novel or play.
Protagonist
The main character in a story or novel or play. Often a good or heroic character.
Antagonist
A person or force that fights against the hero or protagonist in a story.

11. More Character Types Minor Character Foil Round Character
The less important character (or characters) in a story, novel, or play.
Foil
A character who serves as a contrast or challenge to the main character
Round Character
Characters that are complicated and fully developed

12. More Character Types Dynamic Character Static Character
Characters that grow and change emotionally or learn a lesson
Static Character
Characters that never change or grow in a story

13. Point of View
The angle which the story is told, which depends upon who is telling it.
Narrator
The person or character who is telling the story

14. First Person Point of View
The first person point of view
One of the characters tells the story (usually the protagonist). This person can reveal only personal thoughts, feelings about what he or she sees or is told by other characters. Pronouns are usually used in narrating the story.
He can not tell us thoughts of other characters

15. Third-Person Point of View
Someone outside of the story is telling it.
Types
3rd Person Omniscient (All-Knowing)
3rd Person Limited Omniscient
Camera (objective) View

16. Third-Person Point of View
Third Person Omniscient (All-Knowing)
The narrator is able to tell about thoughts
and feelings of all characters in the story. He
is an all-knowing outsider who can enter the
minds of more than one of the characters. He
can move from character to character, event
to event, having free access to the thoughts,
feelings and motivations of the characters.
He can introduce information when he chooses.

17. Third-Person Point of View
Third Person Limited Omniscient The narrator is able to tell thoughts and feelings of one character only speaking in the third person using pronouns- they, she, he, it. We can see the thoughts and Feelings of characters if the author chooses to reveal them to us.

18. Third-Person Point of View
Omniscient Objective (Camera View)
The narrator tells the story, but shares no
thoughts or feelings of the characters. The story is
told in the third person. It appears as though a
camera is following the characters, going
anywhere, and recording only what is seen and
heard. There is not comment on the characters or
their thoughts. No interpretations are offered. The
reader is only a spectator and has to
Interpret events on his own.

19. Protagonist Central character Person on whom action centers
Character who pushes the action forward
Character who attempts to accomplish something
Usually seen as a good person or hero/heroine
Usually round and dynamic
Examples of protagonists:

20. Antagonist Character or force that holds the action back
Character who wants something in opposition to the protagonist
Usually seen as a bad person/force or villain
Examples of antagonists

21. Foil Secondary or minor character
Character who is a contrast opposite to the protagonist
Character who emphasizes or highlights the traits of the protagonist
Example of Foils:

22. Stereotyped or stock character
Character that is instantly recognizable because of the stereotype
Examples:

23. Round Character Well-developed Has many traits, both good and bad
Not easily defined because we know many details about the character
Realistic and life-like
Most major characters are round
“The test of a round character is whether it is capable of surprising in a convincing way. If it never surprises, it is flat.” by: E.M. Forster

24. Flat Character Not well-developed Does not have many traits
Easily defined in a single sentence because we know little about the character
Sometimes stereotyped
Most minor characters are flat

25. Dynamic Character
Undergoes an important change in personality in the story
Comes to some sort of realization that permanently changes the character
A change occurs within the character because of the events of the story
The protagonist is usually dynamic, but not always

26. Static Character Remains the same throughout the story
Although something may happen to the character, it does not cause the character to change
Minor characters are usually static

27. Character Traits… examples
Humble
Gullible
Brave
Handsome
Courageous
Caring
Serious
Carefree
Funny
Selfish
Humorous
Unselfish
Sad
Generous
Resourceful
Self-confident
Stubborn
Respectful
Loyal
considerate