Characterization Think S.T.E.A.L

SPEECH What they say How they say it Complex language – intelligent or educated Swear – angry or crude Talkative – nervous or social How they say it Accent Tone of voice (deep & gruff; high & squeaky) Speed Refined vs. colloquial manner

THOUGHTS Thinking Feeling Thoughts revealed throughout story Inner dialogues Beliefs Decisions made Feeling Revealed through body language Tone of voice (rude, flippant, encouraging) Emotions

EFFECTS ON OTHERS Emotions Reactions Feelings he/she brings about in other characters Others are attracted to him/her Or avoid him/her Reactions Popular with lots of friends? Alone with few or no friends? Others reach out to help? Or do they ignore?

A character may be motivated by: Anger Guilt Fear Love Competition Revenge Success

ACTIONS Motivations With others Under stress/in conflict Reasons why characters make their decisions Beliefs, way they were raised, their education, etc. With others Sympathetic? Apathetic? Selfish? Under stress/in conflict Face problems head-on Try to escape/run away Trial and error approach Ask for advice Handle independently

LOOKS Expression Dress & Appearance Facial expressions Body language Clothing Shoes Hair Body build Size Way of moving

CHANGES Just as we are changed by our experiences in real life, characters undergo changes in a story. A character often changes as different events unfold, and these changes can affect the outcome of the story. These are dynamic characters.

Types of Changes Intellectual Emotional Physical Changes from beginning to end Change before an event and after an event in the plot

Readers come to know a character through the character’s: thoughts words Our job as readers is to draw a conclusion (infer) about the character's traits from what the character says, thinks, and does. actions