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

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

Preface: Types of characters 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”

Protagonist examples Hunger Games? Katniss The Little Mermaid? Ariel Wizard of Oz? Dorothy

Antagonist examples The Little Mermaid? Ursula Wizard of Oz? Wicked Witch

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.

First Person POV 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?

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 Ex: On his hands and knees, the curator froze, turning his head slowly. -The Da Vinci Code

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”

What questions do you have?

Part II: Characterization Direct, indirect, types

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

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

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: “Hey, we can have lots of fun at camp this summer! Oh I just cannot wait! I love being outside!”

Characterization Indirect Characterization: shows things that reveal the personality of a character. There are five different methods of indirect characterization: STEAL S peech What does the character say? How does the character speak? T houghts What is revealed through the characters private thoughts and feelings? E ffects on others toward character How do other characters feel in reaction to the character A ctions What does the character do? How do they behave? L ooks What does the character look like?

Round & Flat Characters Round characters show many different traits: Faults as well as virtues Change throughout the story Flat characters are only seen one way throughout the story, they are very two- dimensional Do not change throughout the story

Round Characters Who might you think of that shows different traits? Simba in the Lion King Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit Harry Potter in Harry Potter

Flat Characters Who might you think of that shows only one purpose throughout a story? Scar in The Lion King Zazoo in The Lion King Voldemort in Harry Potter

Dynamic and Static Characters Dynamic characters develop and grow during the course of the story. Ex: Harry Potter Ex: George Static characters do not change. Ex: Lord Voldemort Ex: Lennie

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