Story Elements Characterization

Character A person or an animal that performs the action in a story. There are two meanings for the word character. The person in a work of fiction. The characteristics of a person.

Persons in a work of fiction One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to the character- PROTAGONIST The opposer of the main character- ANTAGONIST

The Characteristics of a Person In order for a story to seem real to the reader its characters must seem real. Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the characters themselves. The author may reveal a character in several ways. His/her physical appearance What he/she says, thinks, feels, and dreams What he/she does or does not do What others say about him/her and how others react to him/her

Characters are… Individual Developing Round Many sided Complex personalities Developing Dynamic Many sided personalities that change For the better Or for the worst

Characters are… Static Stereotype Have one or two characteristics that never change Are emphasized (such as) brilliant Drunk Scrooge Cruel Nice Hoodlum Wicked Kind

Characterization The ways in which a writer makes a character seam real. This can be done by… Sharing a characters Conversations Thoughts Actions

Characterization…continued Describes the character’s appearance

Characterization…continued Showing what others think of the character…

Main Character The most important character in the story, novel or play. Protagonist The main character in a story or novel or play. Often a good or heroic character. Antagonist A person or force that fights against the hero or protagonist in a story.

More Character Types Minor Character Foil Round Character The less important character (or characters) in a story, novel, or play. Foil A character who serves as a contrast or challenge to the main character Round Character Characters that are complicated and fully developed

More Character Types Dynamic Character Static Character Characters that grow and change emotionally or learn a lesson Static Character Characters that never change or grow in a story

Point of View The angle which the story is told, which depends upon who is telling it. Narrator The person or character who is telling the story

First Person Point of View The first person point of view One of the characters tells the story (usually the protagonist). This person can reveal only personal thoughts, feelings about what he or she sees or is told by other characters. Pronouns are usually used in narrating the story. He can not tell us thoughts of other characters

Third-Person Point of View Someone outside of the story is telling it. Types 3rd Person Omniscient (All-Knowing) 3rd Person Limited Omniscient Camera (objective) View

Third-Person Point of View Third Person Omniscient (All-Knowing) The narrator is able to tell about thoughts and feelings of all characters in the story. He is an all-knowing outsider who can enter the minds of more than one of the characters. He can move from character to character, event to event, having free access to the thoughts, feelings and motivations of the characters. He can introduce information when he chooses.

Third-Person Point of View Third Person Limited Omniscient The narrator is able to tell thoughts and feelings of one character only speaking in the third person using pronouns- they, she, he, it. We can see the thoughts and Feelings of characters if the author chooses to reveal them to us.

Third-Person Point of View Omniscient Objective (Camera View) The narrator tells the story, but shares no thoughts or feelings of the characters. The story is told in the third person. It appears as though a camera is following the characters, going anywhere, and recording only what is seen and heard. There is not comment on the characters or their thoughts. No interpretations are offered. The reader is only a spectator and has to Interpret events on his own.

Protagonist Central character Person on whom action centers Character who pushes the action forward Character who attempts to accomplish something Usually seen as a good person or hero/heroine Usually round and dynamic Examples of protagonists:

Antagonist Character or force that holds the action back Character who wants something in opposition to the protagonist Usually seen as a bad person/force or villain Examples of antagonists

Foil Secondary or minor character Character who is a contrast opposite to the protagonist Character who emphasizes or highlights the traits of the protagonist Example of Foils:

Stereotyped or stock character Character that is instantly recognizable because of the stereotype Examples:

Round Character Well-developed Has many traits, both good and bad Not easily defined because we know many details about the character Realistic and life-like Most major characters are round “The test of a round character is whether it is capable of surprising in a convincing way. If it never surprises, it is flat.” by: E.M. Forster

Flat Character Not well-developed Does not have many traits Easily defined in a single sentence because we know little about the character Sometimes stereotyped Most minor characters are flat

Dynamic Character Undergoes an important change in personality in the story Comes to some sort of realization that permanently changes the character A change occurs within the character because of the events of the story The protagonist is usually dynamic, but not always

Static Character Remains the same throughout the story Although something may happen to the character, it does not cause the character to change Minor characters are usually static

Character Traits… examples Humble Gullible Brave Handsome Courageous Caring Serious Carefree Funny Selfish Humorous Unselfish Sad Generous Resourceful Self-confident Stubborn Respectful Loyal considerate