Character Development Characterization

The way in which an author develops (reveals) a characters personality Two primary methods: – Direct – Indirect

Direct Characterization When the narrator makes direct remarks about a characters personality – Third-person narrator (either omniscient or third- person limited) – When the narrator tells us what we should think about a character – When the narrator judges a character Joe was the worst kind of bully. Joe was the kindest of angels.

Indirect Characterization When a narrator reveals a characters personality by showing (rather than telling) – What the character says, – What the character thinks, – What the character does, – How the character appears/dresses, – What other characters say about him or her. The narrator gives the clues; the readers have to draw their own conclusions based on what they observe in the reading.