1. Indirect and Direct Dynamic and Static
Characterization
Indirect and Direct
Dynamic and Static

2. Get Out Your Composition Book
Make sure your name and a label is on both of the following so that I can photograph them:
Making Connections Assessment
Character Double Bubble Map

3. Opening Activity Day One
Choose one character from your book.
In your composition book, create a bubble map with your character’s name in the center.
Based on what you have read so far, list 10 adjectives that you would use to describe their looks, personality, behavior, thoughts, feelings, etc.

4. Opening Activity, Day 2
Read the excerpt from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain on pages 43 and 44 in the teal Daybook.
Complete the chart below for Huckleberry Finn. Be sure to copy your evidence
word-for-word
from the text.

5. Words to Learn Narration Narrator Dialogue Quotation Marks
Direct Characterization
Explicit
Indirect Characterization
Implicit

6. Role of the Narrator 1 2 3 Story Narrator Reader Narrative
Characters 1
Story 2
Narrator 3
Reader
Setting
Communication
Barrier
Events

7. Voices in the Story Narrator: tells the story to the reader.
Narration: when the narrator speaks.
Character: people in the story.
Dialogue: when characters speak.

8. Don’t Write This Down
When are you going to let us in the classroom the loud student asked. The sleepy student said Mr. Morton said we can come in when we’re quiet. Quiet down students said Mr. Morton. The students were still very noisy students I thought you said you wanted to come in and sit down said Mr. Morton.

9. How are these passages different?
Don’t Write This Down
“When are you going to let us in the classroom?” the loud student asked. The sleepy student said, “Mr. Morton said we can come in when we’re quiet.” “Quiet down, students,” said Mr. Morton. The students were still very noisy. “Students, I thought you said you wanted to come in and sit down,” said Mr. Morton.
How are these passages different?

10. Character’s voices go in quotes. Quotes show when characters speak.
“Quotation Marks”
Character’s voices go in quotes.
It was hot. “Turn on the fan,” she said.
N C N
He said, “Point it toward us.” She didn’t.
N C N
Quotes show when characters speak.

11. Direct Characterizations
Narrator explicitly describes a character.
Ex: Kat was popular but snobby.
Tim was a nice, honest boy.
Explicit: Clearly stated.

12. Indirect Characterization
Character traits revealed indirectly through a character’s actions, words, thoughts, appearance, and their effect on other characters.
Ex: Jess left the pizza crust on her floor.
Tim helped old Ms. Jones with her bags.
Indirect characterizations are implicit.
Implicit: not clearly stated, implied.

13. Review The narrator tells the story. Dialogue: when characters speak.
Direct characterization: the narrator explicitly describes the character.
Indirect characterization: character’s traits are revealed through S.T.E.A.L.

14. Methods of Indirect Characterization S.T.E.A.L.
We can learn about characters through the following:
S: say (what they say)
T: think (what they think)
E: effect (the effect they have on other characters)
A: actions (their actions)
L: looks (their appearance and non-verbal communication)

15. Practice Read the passage.
Write what indirect character trait is shown.
Explain your answer.

16. Example
Mr. Morton was teaching the students about characterizations. Kyle let out a big yawn. “Indirect Characterizations are implied, not explicitly stated,” said Mr. Morton.
1. Kyle is bored or tired.
Ex: He yawned, which shows he’s tired.

17. 1
After class, Kelly asked Dana a question, “I’m sorry, Dana, but my little brother was sick and my parents made me stay home and watch him yesterday. Can I see your reading notes?” Dana huffed and rolled her eyes. She replied to Kelly, “Uh, I don’t know where they are right now.”

18. 2
While playing football with his friends, Evan overthrew the ball and accidently broke his mom’s picture window. Nobody was home, but all of the other boys soon found excuses to leave. When Evan’s mom came home, she asked what had happened. Evan looked her in the face and said, “A bird smashed into the window, Mom.”

19. 3
Kevin was in excruciating pain from football practice. He had been getting terrible sleep ever since training started. He could hardly sleep ten minutes before the pain caused him to roll around. His body was telling him to quit the team, but Kevin refused to hear it. He had one goal in mind: to make the team. Kevin wouldn’t stop until his body stopped him.

20. 4
Tim was walking around the store when he bumped into a display of soup cans, knocking them all over. Tim bought two cartons of eggs then got hit by the automatic door on the way out. It almost broke the eggs. Tim let out a sigh of relief. While walking through the parking lot, Tim tripped over the curb and landed on the eggs, getting them all over his shirt.

21. 5
Kim had a bunch of outfits and accessories. It took her forever to decide which combination might impress Kevin. She called her sister several times for advice. Still, Kim could not decide on the right outfit to wear.

22. Summary:
Characterization is the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. Characterization is revealed through direct characterization and indirect characterization.

23. Remember: Types of Characterization
Direct Characterization tells the audience what the appearance and personality of the character is.
Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.”
Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy is “patient” and the girl is “quiet.”
Indirect Characterization shows things that reveal the personality of a character in the following ways:
The things they say
The things they do
Through their thoughts
How they look
The way other characters react
to them

24. Applying Your Learning
Go back to the bubble map that you created in the opening activity to describe Huckleberry Finn.
Look at the traits you used to describe Huck.
Decide if the trait was developed through direct or indirect characterization and label it (DC or IC).

25. Finding Characterization in Children’s Stories
Read the story together.
When you are finished, look back through the book for any examples (words, lines, even pictures) of direct and indirect characterization.
Write down at least three examples and label them direct or indirect.
For each example of indirect characterization, label it with an S, T, E, A, or L.
Explain what is revealed about the character through each of your examples. In other words, what do we learn about the character from this passage?

26. Assessment #1: S.T.E.A.L. Map
Copy the template on the following slide (or just create a list if you do not like to make maps).
Find examples of the five methods of characterization used in your first-quarter reading book.
Copy the five passages word-for-word from the text into the map.
Below each passage, explain what that example shows us about the character’s personality by making inferences based on the text.
For additional help, refer to the sample map that follows the template. Remember that we did this together in class.

27. S.T.E.A.L. Map Character SPEECH
-Cite detail or example from text including page #
-Explain what it tells you about the character
THOUGHTS
-Cite detail or example from text including page #
-Explain what it tells you about the character
Character
ACTIONS
-Cite detail or example from text including page #
-Explain what it tells you about the character
EFFECT
-Cite detail or example from text including page #
-Explain what it tells you about the character
LOOKS
-Cite detail or example from text including page #
-Explain what it tells you about the character

28. S.T.E.A.L. Map Example for The Cut-Ups by James Marshall
SPEECH
“Do you have the snake?”
“I thought you had it!” (pg 3)
This shows us that Spud and Joe are devious and seek attention.
THOUGHTS
“At that moment, Lamar J. Spurgle, who’d had enough of kids to last a lifetime…” (10).
This shows that Spurgle is mean and grouchy.
Characters: Spud Jenkins, Joe Turner, Lamar J. Spurgle, Mary Frances Hooley
ACTIONS
“They fell all over themselves trying to make a nice impression” (8).
This shows that Spud and Joe are impressed by Mary Frances
and want her attention.
LOOKS
Mary Frances Hooley wore large sunglasses and “drove her own sports car” (7) .
This shows that Mary Frances was cool and unique.
EFFECT
“They made their mothers old before their time” (2).
This shows that they are inconsiderate and selfish.

29. Practice Grade-Level Story
“All the Years of Her Life” by Morley Callaghan

30. Characterization Practice
Characterization Practice “All the Years of Her Life” by Morley Callaghan
“She came in, large and plump, with a little smile on her friendly face…her blue eyes never wavered, and with a calmness and dignity that made them forget that her clothes seemed to have been thrown on her, she put out her hand and said politely, “I’m Mrs. Higgins. I’m Alfred’s mother”” (58).
1. Is this example primarily direct or indirect characterization? Based on this excerpt, list three things that the author tells us about Mrs. Higgins.
“When she reached out and lifted the kettle to pour hot water in her cup, her hand trembled and the water splashed on the stove. Leaning back in the chair, she sighed and lifted the cup to her lips…” (60).
2. Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization? What do we learn about Mrs. Higgins in this passage? Write down specific words and phrases to prove it.

31. “She came in, large and plump, with a little smile on her friendly face…her blue eyes never wavered, and with a calmness and dignity that made them forget that her clothes seemed to have been thrown on her, she put out her hand and said politely, “I’m Mrs. Higgins. I’m Alfred’s mother”” (58).
1. Is this example primarily direct or indirect characterization? Based on this excerpt, list three things that the author tells us about Mrs. Higgins.
“When she reached out and lifted the kettle to pour hot water in her cup, her hand trembled and the water splashed on the stove. Leaning back in the chair, she sighed and lifted the cup to her lips…” (60).
2. Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization? What do we learn about Mrs. Higgins in this passage? Write down specific words and phrases to prove it.

32. Types of Characters
Characters experience varying amounts of change over the course of a story.
• Static characters that do not experience basic character changes during the course of the story.
• Dynamic characters that experience changes throughout the plot of a story. Although the change may be sudden, it is expected based on the story’s events.
A story’s characters fall within a range—from very static characters that experience no change to very dynamic characters that undergo one or more major changes.

33. Reading Journal Instructions and Examples
Characterization
Reading Journal Instructions and Examples

34. Objective:
Throughout this quarter, you will be writing in response to the independent novel that you have selected.
The journals will be based on different literary elements that we are learning in class.
Each journal entry must include a direct passage (also called a quote or an excerpt) from the book that demonstrates that particular literary element.
Each response should also weave in textual evidence.
Journal entries will be evaluated weekly. After they are scored, you will have the option to revise and edit to improve your score, but for each entry you wish to revise, you must complete an action plan that must be signed by you, your parent, and me.

35. Assessment #2, Part One:
Draw a line down the middle of the next available page of your composition book. Include these headings:
Left Side: Text Right Side: Response
Find a passage in your book that reveals something about the personality, thoughts, feelings or motivations of a character INDIRECTLY through either S.T.E.A.L. or a combination of two or more of these methods.
I would recommend selecting a passage that is at least 2-3 sentences in length so that you have more to analyze.
Copy the passage on the left side.

36. Assessment #2, Part Two:
On the right side, explain what this passage reveals about the character and why you made those conclusions using evidence from the passage for support. In addition, explain how these characteristics affect the outcome of the story. If you don’t know yet, make an inference and support it with evidence from text.
To earn a 9 or a 10, go on to explain whether this is a dynamic or static character. Again, support your position with evidence from the text.

37. Characterization (an acceptable example, level 8)
Text
Response
The first thing this passage tells us about Victor is that he obviously doesn’t know French. It also shows that he gets nervous very easily, especially around Teresa, the girl he has a crush on. In this scene, Victor is trying to impress Teresa by pretending to be something he’s not. This shows us that he is willing to risk embarrassment to get her attention. This behavior seems pretty normal for a teenaged boy with his first crush.
“Great rosebushes of red bloomed on Victor’s cheeks. A river of nervous sweat ran down his palms. He felt awful. Teresa sat a few desks away, no doubt thinking he was a fool. Without looking at Mr. Bueller, Victor mumbled, “Frenchie oh wewe gee in September” (Soto, 17)

38. Characterization (an exceptional example, level 10)
Text
Response
“Her face as she sat there was a frightened, broken face utterly unlike the face of the woman who had been so assured a little while ago in the drugstore... When she reached out and lifted the kettle to pour hot water in her cup, her hand trembled and the water splashed on the stove. Leaning back in the chair, she sighed and lifted the cup to her lips” (Callaghan, 3).
This passage shows that Mrs. Higgins is not the picture of calm confidence that she displayed in the drugstore. Through years of dealing with Alfred’s poor decision making, she has obviously learned how to master the art of friendly persuasion, but it is all just a façade. These lines from the text show us that she is afraid, most likely for Alfred’s future, for her daughter’s future, and for her own physical and emotional well-being. Callaghan describes her face as “broken,” which suggests that she just cannot bear any more pain; she has been hurt beyond repair. It could also symbolize the broken bond between her and her son. Her trembling shows her fear and suggests that she has been aged beyond her years because of the stress that Alfred has caused in her life. When she leans back and sighs, it is as if with hopeless resignation. She accepts her bleak reality, takes a sip, and life goes on.

39. Characterization (an exceptional example, level 10)
Text
Response
“Her face as she sat there was a frightened, broken face utterly unlike the face of the woman who had been so assured a little while ago in the drugstore... When she reached out and lifted the kettle to pour hot water in her cup, her hand trembled and the water splashed on the stove. Leaning back in the chair, she sighed and lifted the cup to her lips” (Callaghan, 3).
This passage shows that Mrs. Higgins is not the picture of calm confidence that she displayed in the drugstore. Through years of dealing with Alfred’s poor decision making, she has obviously learned how to master the art of friendly persuasion, but it is all just a façade. These lines from the text show us that she is afraid, most likely for Alfred’s future, for her daughter’s future, and for her own physical and emotional well-being. Callaghan describes her face as “broken,” which suggests that she just cannot bear any more pain; she has been hurt beyond repair. It could also symbolize the broken bond between her and her son. Her trembling shows her fear and suggests that she has been aged beyond her years because of the stress that Alfred has caused in her life. When she leans back and sighs, it is as if with hopeless resignation. She accepts her bleak reality, takes a sip, and life goes on.