These are terms that apply to characterization, which is defined as: These are terms that apply to characterization, which is defined as: –the methods by which a writer creates people in a story so that they seem actually to exist. These methods bring characters to life and thus give the story depth and texture These methods bring characters to life and thus give the story depth and texture

a one-dimensional character a one-dimensional character embodies one or two qualities, ideas, or traits that can be easily described in a brief summary embodies one or two qualities, ideas, or traits that can be easily described in a brief summary a more fully-developed character this character is complex, has more depth, and can be difficult to summarize

a character who does not change during the course of the story a character who does not change during the course of the story a character who undergoes some kind of change because of the action of the plot

when the author directly states a character's traits when the author directly states a character's traits when an author tells us what a character looks like, does, and says and how other characters react to him or her. It is up to the reader to draw conclusions about the character based on this indirect information

Direct vs. Indirect Characterization

Direct Characterization direct characterization: the author or narrator makes direct statements about a character’s traits. The author tells us about the character’s personality to our face. direct characterization: the author or narrator makes direct statements about a character’s traits. The author tells us about the character’s personality to our face. TELLING TELLING Example: Example: –“The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.” –Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy is “patient” and the girl is “quiet.”

Indirect Characterization Indirect characterization: the author or narrator reveals a character’s traits through his or her actions and speech. Indirect characterization: the author or narrator reveals a character’s traits through his or her actions and speech. SHOWING SHOWING When Jane walked in the room, nobody could help but look at her stunning, gorgeous face. She commanded attention wherever she went due to her good looks. When Jane walked in the room, nobody could help but look at her stunning, gorgeous face. She commanded attention wherever she went due to her good looks. –Jane is beautiful. Jim was very unlike any other businessman. He made sure that all his clients got what they had paid for. Jim was very unlike any other businessman. He made sure that all his clients got what they had paid for. –Jim is honest and hardworking.

STEAL Method Speech Speech Thoughts Thoughts Effect on others toward the character. Effect on others toward the character. Actions Actions Looks Looks

Indirect Characterization SPEECH - What does the character say? How does the character speak? SPEECH - What does the character say? How does the character speak? THOUGHTS - What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings? THOUGHTS - What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings? EFFECTS - What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? EFFECTS - 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? ACTIONS - What does the character do? How does the character behave? LOOKS - What does the character look like? How does the character dress? LOOKS - What does the character look like? How does the character dress?