Characterization

Indirect Characterization How does an author reveal character traits? Author reveals character traits through - appearance (How might appearance help illustrate a character trait?) - dialogue - private thoughts - actions - effects on other characters

Direct Characterization Author directly tells us what a character is like. Example: Esmeralda was the most serious person in the school. She longed for fun but was afraid of disappointing her very serious aunt. What are advantages of using direct characterization? What are advantages of using indirect characterization?

Flat character Two dimensional Only one or two very different personality traits Example: Amy is extremely stubborn throughout the story. She does not show a multi-faceted personality. Why include flat characters in a story? Examples?

Round Character Three dimensional qualities (like a real person) Has many traits and complexities. Why not make all characters round? Why is the protagonist typically round?

Stock Character Fits our preconceived notion about a “type” Examples? The Mad Scientist The Villain The Dumb Jock

Protagonist vs. Antagonist Protagonist – the focus of our attention; a realistic, complicated being with just enough strengths and weaknesses to remind us of ourselves. Antagonist – the character or force that blocks the protagonist from achieving his or her goal. Does the protagonist have to be the “good guy”? Examples?

Subordinate Characters The friends, family members, or passing strangers that come into contact with the protagonist Why include them? These help reveal the protagonist’s character and develop the story’s conflict Examples?

Dynamic Character Someone who changes in an important way during the course of the story. By the end of the story, this character has gained a new understanding, made an important decision, or taken a crucial action. The protagonist is almost always dynamic. Why? How does this tie into theme? Examples in popular culture?

Static Character Character remains the same from the beginning to the end of the story. Subordinate characters are almost always static.

Character Motivation Characters are believable when we understand what motivates them. Writers seldom state a character’s motives directly. (She screamed at her mother because she was mad at her boyfriend). Instead, they scatter clues or imply the motive. Readers are usually trusted to make inferences about character motivation. Why keep character motivation in mind when writing a story?