1. Point of View and Characterization How authors use these to mold their writing

2. “Point of view is the most complex element of fiction…It is a relationship among writer, character, and reader.” -Janet Burroway

3. Preface: Types of characters  Protagonist  Who the story is about  Often the “good guy”  Usually changes with the climax  Protagonist  Who the story is about  Often the “good guy”  Usually changes with the climax  Antagonist  The character or force who is working against the protagonist.  Often the “bad guy”  Antagonist  The character or force who is working against the protagonist.  Often the “bad guy”

4. Protagonist examples  To Kill a Mockingbird?  Atticus Finch  Two Friends?  Morrisot and Sauvage  Star Wars?  Darth Vader / Anakin Skywalker  To Kill a Mockingbird?  Atticus Finch  Two Friends?  Morrisot and Sauvage  Star Wars?  Darth Vader / Anakin Skywalker

6. Antagonist examples  To Kill a Mockingbird?  Bob Ewell – utter disregard for other people  Two Friends ?  The Prussians  Star Wars ?  Debatable: could be the Emperor, the Dark Side, etc.  To Kill a Mockingbird?  Bob Ewell – utter disregard for other people  Two Friends ?  The Prussians  Star Wars ?  Debatable: could be the Emperor, the Dark Side, etc.

7. PART 1: Point of View Basics  POV is the perspective that a story is told in.  How a story is told  JD from Scrubs  Stories are told in first or third person POV.  POV is the perspective that a story is told in.  How a story is told  JD from Scrubs  Stories are told in first or third person POV.

8. First Person POV  Told from the perspective of someone involved in the story.  Narrator refers to him/herself as “I”.  Often protagonist of story.  Told from the perspective of someone involved in the story.  Narrator refers to him/herself as “I”.  Often protagonist of story.  Pros:  Creates sense of intimacy with reader.  Story directed at us.  Cons:  We only see that person’s thoughts.  Is the narrator reliable? Are they lying?  Pros:  Creates sense of intimacy with reader.  Story directed at us.  Cons:  We only see that person’s thoughts.  Is the narrator reliable? Are they lying?

9. Third Person POV  Narrator is not part of story.  Use pronouns like “he, she, his, hers, it,” or “they.”  “Fly on the wall” storytelling  Typically unbiased; neutral narrator  Narrator is not part of story.  Use pronouns like “he, she, his, hers, it,” or “they.”  “Fly on the wall” storytelling  Typically unbiased; neutral narrator Ex: On his hands and knees, the curator froze, turning his head slowly. -The Da Vinci Code Ex: On his hands and knees, the curator froze, turning his head slowly. -The Da Vinci Code

10. Two types of Third Person POV  Limited  Narrator focuses on one central character.  Often protagonist  “Inside” character  Omniscient  Can see into thoughts and feelings of all characters  “Omniscient” means “all-knowing”  Limited  Narrator focuses on one central character.  Often protagonist  “Inside” character  Omniscient  Can see into thoughts and feelings of all characters  “Omniscient” means “all-knowing”

11. What questions do you have?

12. Part II: Characterization Direct, indirect, types

13. What is characterization?  Characterization is the act of creating and developing a character.

14. Direct Characterization  In direct characterization, the author directly states a character’s traits.  Ex: “Part con man, part practical joker, and part Don Juan.”

15. Indirect Characterization  Indirect characterization is when a character’s personality is shown through his or her actions, thoughts, feelings, words, and appearance, or through another character’s observations and reactions. Ex: Harpo puzzle by Shug. One reason is she say whatever come to mind, forgit about polite. -The Color Purple Ex: Harpo puzzle by Shug. One reason is she say whatever come to mind, forgit about polite. -The Color Purple

16. What conclusion can you make about Shug?  That she is shy  That she is opinionated  That she is married  That she likes Harpo  That she is shy  That she is opinionated  That she is married  That she likes Harpo

17. Round & Flat Characters  Round characters show many different traits:  Faults as well as virtues  Flat characters are only seen one way throughout the story  Round characters show many different traits:  Faults as well as virtues  Flat characters are only seen one way throughout the story

18. Round Characters  Who might you think of that shows different traits?  Scout from Mockingbird  Montagues and Capulets from Romeo & Juliet  Bart Simpson  Who might you think of that shows different traits?  Scout from Mockingbird  Montagues and Capulets from Romeo & Juliet  Bart Simpson

19. Flat Characters  Who might you think of that shows only one purpose throughout a story?  Jem from Mockingbird  Tybalt from Romeo & Juliet  Milhouse  Who might you think of that shows only one purpose throughout a story?  Jem from Mockingbird  Tybalt from Romeo & Juliet  Milhouse

20. Dynamic and Static Characters  Dynamic characters develop and grow during the course of the story.  Ex: Harry Potter  Ex: Scout; Jem  Dynamic characters develop and grow during the course of the story.  Ex: Harry Potter  Ex: Scout; Jem  Static characters do not change.  Ex: Lord Voldemort  Ex: Atticus  Static characters do not change.  Ex: Lord Voldemort  Ex: Atticus

21. Review  First person pros/cons  Third person pros/cons  Protagonist V. Antagonist  What is characterization?  Direct V. Indirect Characterization  Round V. Flat Characters  Static V. Dynamic Characters  First person pros/cons  Third person pros/cons  Protagonist V. Antagonist  What is characterization?  Direct V. Indirect Characterization  Round V. Flat Characters  Static V. Dynamic Characters