Characterization Unit 2 Terms

External Conflict Definition: A character struggles against an outside force, such as another character, or society as a whole, or something in nature. Example: John vs. Henry, John vs. American culture, John vs. tornado

Internal Conflict Definition: takes place entirely within a character’s own mind. It is a struggle between opposing needs or desires or emotions within a single person. Example: John’s heart vs. John’s head

Protagonist Definition: The protagonist is the leading, or the main, character in a story or play. Example: The three little pigs in “The Three Little Pigs”

Antagonist Definition: The antagonist is the character or force the protagonist must overcome Example: The big bad wolf in “The Three Little Pigs”

Round Characters Definition: Round characters are complex and multidimensional, like real people. Example: The three little pigs

Flat Characters Definition: Flat characters are one dimensional and superficial; they can be described in a single sentence. Example: The big bad wolf

Dynamic Characters Definition: Dynamic characters change in an important way because of the story’s action. Example: The first two pigs, the one who builds his house of straw and the one who builds his house of sticks

Static Characters Definition: Static characters do not change much or at all during a story. Example: The third pig who builds his house of brick and the big bad wolf

Stock Characters Definition: Stock characters are predictable stereotypes of people. Example: The big bad wolf

Direct Characterization Definition: writers tell us directly what a character is like. Example: John is friendly.

Indirect Characterization Definition: writers show, rather than tell, readers what a character is like in five ways: Dialogue/words: letting us hear the character speak Appearance: description of how the character looks and dresses Thoughts: letting us listen to the characters inner thoughts and feelings Actions: showing us what the character does. Most vivid way to show character. Other Character’s Comments: Words or thoughts of other characters

Indirect Characterization Examples: Dialogue/words: John said “Everyone is welcome to come back to my place after the game.” Appearance: John had a smile on his face as he walked down the hall. Thoughts: John thought about what he could say to the new kid to make him feel comfortable. Actions: John smiled and shook hands with everyone at the meeting. Other Character’s Comments: “John is so nice to everyone he meets,” said Brittany.

Character Motivation Definition: Motivation is the underlying force(s) that causes a character to act a certain way. Example: The pigs were motivated by their fear of the wolf. The wolf was motivated by his hunger.