Characterization

Direct Characterization - TELLS Narrator explicitly describes a character. Ex: Tom struggled in school but was a hard worker. Pam was lazy but learned really quickly. Explicit: Clearly stated.

Indirect Characterization - SHOWS Character traits reveled through actions is the most common. Ex: Jess left the pizza crust on her floor. Tim helped old Ms. Jones with her bags. Indirect characterizations are implicit. Implicit: not clearly stated, implied.

There are five different methods of indirect characterization: SPEECH: What does the character say? How does the character speak? THOUGHTS: What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings? EFFECTS ON OTHERS TOWARD THE CHARACTER: What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? 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?

Extra Practice… Read the short passages. Answer the question by identifying an implied character trait.

What character trait does Mae demonstrate? After coming home late from a party, Mae's father questioned her. She wanted to tell him that she was studying at a friend's place and lost track of time, but she told him the truth instead: she was at a party. What character trait does Mae demonstrate? Honesty, Integrity, Courage

What character trait does Michael demonstrate? Michael has clothes all over the floor of his bedroom. Underneath the clothes on his floor is a pizza box with crusts in it. Underneath the pizza box is bunch of pieces of a board game that Michael played and didn't put away. Michael sat on his unmade bed with his shoes on and played video games all night. What character trait does Michael demonstrate? Messy, Sloppy, Lazy