1. Characterizations
Indirect and Direct

2. Characterization
Have you ever gotten to know a character so well that you were a little sad when the story was over?

3. Words to Learn Narration Narrator Dialogue Quotation Marks
Direct Characterization
Explicit
Indirect Characterization
Implicit

4. Characterization
The way a writer reveals character is called characterization.
Poor characterization can make a character uninteresting,

5. Characterization
Good characterization can make readers feel that even fantasy characters live and breathe.
The majestic white unicorn looked unsure of her next step. She had escaped from her brutal master at the castle, but where should she go now?

6. Characterization Quick Check
Tommy McSweeney really hated being the tallest boy in the eighth grade. Everyone assumed he was a good basketball player, but he had no athletic interest or skill.
Instead, his talent emerged far from a court or ball field. No one beyond Tommy’s family knew that the pale, muscular kid with curly hair and freckles was a classical pianist—and Tommy intended to keep it that way.
Quick Check
Which words create characterization to clarify your image of Tommy?

7. Characterization Quick Check
Tommy McSweeney really hated being the tallest boy in the eighth grade. Everyone assumed he was a good basketball player, but he had no athletic interest or skill.
Instead, his talent emerged far from a court or ball field. No one beyond Tommy’s family knew that the pale, muscular kid with curly hair and freckles was a classical pianist—and Tommy intended to keep it that way.
Quick Check
Which words create characterization to clarify your image of Tommy?
Tommy looks athletic, but his secret talent is in music.

8. When are you going to let us in the classroom the loud student asked
When are you going to let us in the classroom the loud student asked? The sleepy student said Mr. Morton said we can come in when we’re quiet. Quiet down students said Mr. Morton. The students were still very noisy students I thought you said you wanted to come in and sit down said Mr. Morton.
“When are you going to let us in the classroom?” the loud student asked. The sleepy student said, “Mr. Morton said we can come in when we’re quiet.” “Quiet down, students,” said Mr. Morton. The students were still very noisy. “Students, I thought you said you wanted to come in and sit down,” said Mr. Morton.

9. Role of the Narrator 1 2 3 Story Narrator Reader Narrative
Characters 1
Story 2
Narrator 3
Reader
Setting
Communication
Barrier
Events

10. Voices in the Story Narrator: tells the story to the reader.
Narration: when the narrator speaks.
Character: people in the story.
Dialogue: when characters speak.”quotes”

11. Character’s voices go in quotes. Quotes show when characters speak.
“Quotation Marks”
Character’s voices go in quotes.
It was hot. “Turn on the fan,” she said.
N C N
He said, “Point it toward us.” She didn’t.
N C N
Quotes show when characters speak.

12. Direct Characterizations
Narrator explicitly describes a character.
Ex: Tom struggled in school but tried hard.
Pam was lazy but learned really quickly.
Explicit: Clearly stated.

13. Characterization: Direct Characterization
Dr. Chang was the best dentist in the practice. He had a charming smile, a gentle manner, and a warm personality. He made a trip to the dentist a pleasant experience—despite the discomfort.
Quick Check
What words give you direct information about Dr. Chang’s character?

14. Characterization: Direct Characterization
Dr. Chang was the best dentist in the practice. He had a charming smile, a gentle manner, and a warm personality. He made a trip to the dentist a pleasant experience—despite the discomfort.
Quick Check
What words give you direct information about Dr. Chang’s character? 14

15. Indirect Characterization
Character traits reveled through actions
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.

16. Review The narrator tells the story. Dialogue: when characters speak.
Direct characterization: the narrator explicitly describes the character.
Indirect characterization: character’s traits are revealed through their actions.

17. Practice Read the passage.
Write what indirect character trait is shown.
Explain your answer.

18. Example
Mr. Morton was teaching the students about characterizations. Kyle let out a big yawn. “Indirect Characterizations are implied, not explicitly stated,” said Mr. Morton.
1. Kyle is bored or tired.
Ex: He yawned, which shows he’s tired.

19. 1
After class, Deija asked Dana a question, “I’m sorry, Dana, but my little brother was sick and my parents made me stay home and watch him yesterday. Can I see your reading notes?” Dana huffed and rolled her eyes. She replied to Deija, “Uh, I don’t know where they are right now.”

20. Suggested Answer Explanation Dana is rude, uncaring, and unhelpful.
Deija asks Dana for something reasonable. Rather than politely declining, Dana does a bunch of rude stuff.

21. 2
While playing football with his friends, Evan overthrew the ball and accidently broke his mom’s picture window. Nobody was home, but all of the other boys soon found excuses to leave. When Evan’s mom came home, she asked what had happened. Evan looked her in the face and said, “A bird smashed into the window, Mom.”

22. Suggested Answer Explanation Evan is dishonest and cowardly.
Rather than telling his mom the truth about what happened, Evan lies. This shows that he is dishonest and not brave enough to fess up to what he did.

23. 3
Tevin was in excruciating pain from football practice. He had been getting terrible sleep ever since training started. He could hardly sleep ten minutes before the pain caused him to roll around. His body was telling him to quit the team, but Tevin refused to hear it. He had one goal in mind: to make the team. Tevin wouldn’t stop until his body stopped him.

24. Suggested Answer Explanation
Tevin is dedicated or committed and he is hard working.
Explanation
Tevin is working very hard on his training even though it is affecting him in painful ways. This shows that he is dedicated or committed to the cause and that he is willing to work hard.

25. 4
Tim was walking around the store when he bumped into a display of soup cans, knocking them all over. Tim bought two cartons of eggs then got hit by the automatic door on the way out. It almost broke the eggs. Tim let out a sigh of relief. While walking through the parking lot, Tim tripped over the curb and landed on the eggs, getting them all over his shirt.

26. Suggested Answer Explanation Tim is clumsy or accident-prone.
Tim can’t even go to the grocery store without getting into several accidents. He is either clumsy or unlucky.

27. 5
Kim had a bunch of outfits and accessories. It took her forever to decide which combination might impress Kevin. She called her sister several times for advice. Still, Kim could not decide on the right outfit to wear.

28. Suggested Answer Explanation Kim is fashionable and infatuated.
Kim is infatuated with Kevin. This is why she is working so hard to impress him. Since she is trying to impress him with her clothing, this shows that she is probably fashionable.