1. Methods of Characterization

2. Characterization
The process by which the author reveals the personality and traits of a character.
Two types of characterization:
Direct Characterization
Indirect Characterization

3. Direct Characterization
In direct characterization the writer tells you directly what the character is like.
Betsy was a determined three year old, who knew what she wanted and often got her way, if she cried loudly enough.
What does this passage tell us about Betsy?
-determined

4. Direct Characterization
With direct characterization look for adjectives that the writer uses to give us character details
Betsy was a determined three year old, who knew what she wanted and often got her way, if she cried loudly enough.

5. Comments by the Narrator
Jimmy was a mischievous boy and creative too. He could take a discarded box or old blanket and turn it into something adventurous. But sometimes his imagination got the better of him, and he’d find himself in big trouble.
-mischievous -creative -imaginative

6. Comments by the Narrator
Typically, direct characterization is always found in comments made by the narrator.
Jimmy was a mischievous boy and creative too. He could take a discarded box or old blanket and turn it into something adventurous. But sometimes his imagination got the better of him, and he’d find himself in big trouble.

7. Indirect Characterization
In indirect characterization the writer shows you what the character is like by revealing:
Speech
Thoughts & feelings
Effect on others toward the character.
Actions
Looks

8. Indirect Characterization
Or…just remember STEAL
Speech
Thoughts & feelings
Effect on others toward the character.
Actions
Looks

9. Indirect Characterization
Indirect characterization is trickier than direct characterization.
With indirect characterization you are putting together puzzle pieces based on what was given-using inferences.

10. Speech
We often get to know characters because of what they say to each other.
Anita threw her arms around Tony and gave him a big hug. “Thank you so much for being there for me,” she said. “I don’t think I could have faced my parents without you.”
-thoughtful -compassionate -appreciative

11. Thoughts and Feelings
When an author lets us get inside the mind of a character, we can often learn a great deal about him or her.
Butch looked around the neighborhood. “This would be a safe place to play catch with Bobby,” he thought. “Why doesn‘t Bobby throw the ball? He must be in a bad mood or something.”
-loyal -concerned -playful

12. Thoughts and Feelings
Be careful with this one. Just because the character said directly that Bobby may be in a bad mood, this is NOT direct characterization.
It is only direct characterization when the narrator is the one using the adjective.
Butch looked around the neighborhood. “ This would be a safe place to play catch with Bobby,” he thought. “Why doesn‘t Bobby throw the ball? He must be in a bad mood or something.”

13. Effect on others towards the character
Sometimes other characters will tell us something useful about the character we’re reading about.
“You wouldn‘t believe what Lisa did yesterday,” Sara said to her sister. “When we went into the bridal shop, she pushed all the women aside and demanded that the sales lady help us immediately. It was really something!”
-demanding -pushy -assertive

14. Actions
You know the expression, “Actions speak louder than words”? Much of what we learn about characters is revealed to us through what they do.
Denise picked up the slimy bull frog. She could hardly stand to hold it even for a moment. She held it out at arm’s length from her body and quickly carried it to her brother.
-squeamish -sensitive -nervous

15. Looks
We often infer a lot about characters from the clothes they wear, their facial features, their body language, and their mannerisms.
Erasto was the priest of his village. When he appeared before the commission, he towered above them, wearing his finest yellow hat and scarf, and his royal blue robes.
-respected -proud -dignified

16. Practice
On the following slides you will see examples of quotations from a story.
Tell me if the author is using direct or indirect characterization.
Then, if it is indirect characterization, tell me which of the following methods were used: appearance, actions, speech, thoughts/feelings, Other Characters Comments/Actions.

17. Which method of characterization is being used?
Org the ugly was unusually angry.
Direct

18. Which method of characterization is being used?
He stood up stiffly and glared at the sky.
Indirect

19. Which method of characterization is being used?
He stood up stiffly and glared at the sky.
Words
Actions
Appearance
Thoughts and feelings
Other characters’ comments or reactions

20. Which method of characterization is being used?
He raised his slimy fists and beat them against his huge, hairy chest.
Indirect

21. Which method of characterization is being used?
He raised his slimy fists and beat them against his huge, hairy chest.
Words
Actions
Appearance
Thoughts and feelings
Other characters’ comments or reactions

22. Which method of characterization is being used?
“I feel just like a dark sky!” Org shouted.
Indirect

23. Which method of characterization is being used?
“I feel just like a dark sky!” Org shouted.
Words
Actions
Appearance
Thoughts and feelings
Other characters’ comments or reactions

24. Which method of characterization is being used?
The Org was a patient org, but today was something different.
Direct

25. Which method of characterization is being used?
“I haven’t seen him this angry in a long time,” said Org’s wife to the cook.
Indirect

26. Which method of characterization is being used?
“I haven’t seen him this angry in a long time,” said Org’s wife to the cook.
Words
Actions
Appearance
Thoughts and feelings
Other characters’ comments or reactions

27. Which method of characterization is being used?
Org leaned against a tree trunk and thought about how mean and ugly and mad he felt.
Indirect

28. Which method of characterization is being used?
Org leaned against a tree trunk and thought about how mean and ugly and mad he felt.
Words
Actions
Appearance
Thoughts and feelings
Other characters’ comments or reactions

29. Which method of characterization is being used?
Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around the tree. He pulled and tore at it until it ripped out of the earth, roots and all.
Indirect

30. Which method of characterization is being used?
Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around the tree. He pulled and tore at it until it ripped out of the earth, roots and all.
Words
Actions
Appearance
Thoughts and feelings
Other characters’ comments or reactions

31. Which method of characterization is being used?
All the gentle woodland creatures in the forest shook their heads sadly at Org and his hateful ways.
Indirect

32. Which method of characterization is being used?
All the gentle woodland creatures in the forest shook their heads sadly at Org and his hateful ways.
Words
Actions
Appearance
Thoughts and feelings
Other characters’ comments or reactions