Characterization and Character Types Literary Elements Characterization and Character Types

The way writers create characters in a story. Characterization The way writers create characters in a story. Direct Characterization Indirect Characterization

Direct Characterization Presented directly to our sight and hearing as a reader Appearance Highly developed means of perception Speech/Dialogue Action Capable of causing action and being changed by it Thought

Indirect Characterization Character is described in summarized, abstract, or judgmental terms Authorial Interpretation Narrator “tells” us the character’s background, motivations, values, virtues, and the like. Advantages: Conveys a great deal of information in a short time. Disadvantages: Distances the reader Presentation by another character Descriptions and how other people respond to the character through speech, action, and thought

Character Types Protagonist Antagonist Subordinate Flat Round Dynamic Static

The main character(s) in a story Protagonist The main character(s) in a story Westley Buttercup

Antagonist The character that the main character(s) (protagonist) struggles against. Prince Humperdinck

Minor (supporting) characters in the story Subordinate Minor (supporting) characters in the story Vizzini Inigo Fezzik Count Rugen

The Impressive Clergyman Flat A character who is not fully developed in the story. A flat character is almost never the main character. Albino The Impressive Clergyman Miracle Max & Valerie

Round A character who is fully developed, just as a person in actual life is. Westley & Buttercup

Dynamic A character who changes during the story. The change might involve recognition of some truth about life. Inigo Westley

A character who does not change during the story. Static A character who does not change during the story. Vizzini Prince Humperdinck

Irony Literary Elements

Irony The difference between what we expect or what seems suitable and what actually happens: a surprise ending. Three main types Verbal Situational Dramatic

Verbal Irony Occurs when someone says something but means the opposite. Example: “Nice day,” you say as you slog through flood water up to your waist.

Situational Irony Refers to an event that is contrary to, or the opposite of, what we expected. Examples: The firehouse burns. The winner of the wrestling match is the weakest team member.

Dramatic Irony Takes place when we know what is going to happen to a character but the character doesn’t know. Examples: Margo opens the door of a garage we know is filled with snakes. We know, but the robbers don’t know, that the hotel they plan to rob is host to a police convention.

Another type of irony is… Ambiguity - A quality that allows something to be interpreted in several different or conflicting ways. Often found in poetry. There is no single way to interpret an ambiguous story or poem. Example: If you and a friend have completely different ideas about an ambiguous character or the ambiguous ending of a story, you both might be “right.”

Subtlety A fine difference between two things. Contradictions occur when two statements or situations have opposite meanings.

Can you identify these types of irony?