Characterization and Narrator’s Voice Cornell Notes

Characterization: The Basics Refers to the techniques a writer uses to bring characters to life. Can be Direct or Indirect. Readers must use inference skills.

Characterization: The Basics Readers learn about a character’s personality through: Author’s comments What the character thinks, does, says, feels, looks like Other characters reactions/interactions

Direct Characterization Narrator (or another character) directly states details about a character in the text.

Direct Characterization Example: Jason was a tall, broad shouldered football player who always had a smile on his face.

Indirect Characterization Requires the reader to look for clues that reveal a character’s traits and motivation When looking for indirect characterization, think about all the following: What a character does (actions) What a character thinks What a character says (dialogue) What other characters say and how they react

Indirect Characterization Example: Jody ran up the stairs to her room, tears streaming down her face, and slammed her door loudly, hoping her mother would hear.

STEAL Character Analysis Indirect Characterization: Questions to ask yourself: Speech What does the character say? How does the character speak? Thoughts What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings? Effect on others or toward the character What is revealed by the characters effect on other characters? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? Actions What does the character do? How does the character behave? Looks What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

Character Development Characters, just like people, develop over time (the story). Some develop more than others.

Flat or Round? Flat Characters: Round Characters: Stereotypical Well-developed Less-developed Both good and bad One-sided Like a real person Less realistic

Static or Dynamic? Static Characters: Dynamic Characters: Doesn’t grow as a person or character Learns an important lesson Grows as a person or character Doesn’t really change Changes in some way

Narrator’s Voice Who is telling the story? 1st Person: Narrator is telling the reader a story that happened to the narrator. 2nd Person: Narrator is telling the reader a story that happens to the reader.

Narrator’s Voice Who is telling the story? 3rd Person: Narrator is telling the reader a story that happens to a group of characters (narrator is not a part of the story). Think of it like a bird’s eye view. Different types of story involvement.

Narrator’s Voice Who is telling the story? 3rd Person: Omniscient: Narrator is an objective observer and knows everything about all of the characters (all knowing). Limited: Narrator is an observer but only knows about a specific character(s) perspective.

Do you trust me? Narrators, just like people, can sometimes be unreliable when telling the story. Important: the narrator and the author of a story ARE NOT THE SAME PERSON.

Reliable Narrator Objective narration: accurately observes and records reality of the story Shares values of the reader; creates trust with the reader Has a lot of knowledge about the events and characters of the story

Unreliable Narrator Subjective Narration Not trustworthy or credible; might lie on purpose out of self-interest. Denies his/her role in events of the story. Expresses ideas or values reader may find not agree with; lacks a “moral compass.”

Unreliable Narrator May be mentally unstable or have a mental disability. Tells events accurately but interprets them in a way that is at odds with the reader.