1. Characterization
Oh, and Point of View!

2. Characterization
the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.

3. Direct vs. Indirect
Direct: tells the audience what the personality of the character is.
Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.”

4. Direct vs. Indirect
Indirect: shows things that reveal the personality of a character.
When looking for indirect characterization, you should S.T.E.A.L. a character
Speech
Thoughts
Effect on other characters
Actions
Looks
Example: “Mom, I will wait right here,” said the little Tom.

5. Protagonist Central character Person on whom action centers
Character who pushes the action forward
Character who attempts to accomplish something
Usually seen as “good” by not necessarily “good”
Sometimes referred to as the hero

6. Example?

7. Antagonist Gives rise to the conflict of the story
Character who wants something in opposition to the protagonist
Usually seen as a bad person/force or villain

8. Example?

9. foil Character who is a contrast or opposite to the protagonist
A character whose behavior and values contrast starkly with another character in order to highlight the distinctive temperament of that character
Character who is a contrast or opposite to the protagonist
Ie: a foolish character is set up next to a wise character, thereby making the contrast between foolish and wise greater

10. Example?

11. Stereotyped
Character that is instantly recognizable because of the stereotype

12. Example?

13. Round These characters are more complex than flat characters
They display inconsistencies and internal conflicts found in real people
Because they are more complex, they are harder to summarize
"The test of a round character is whether it is capable of surprising in a convincing way. If it never surprises, it is flat." E. M. Forster

14. Example?

15. Flat Not well-developed
This character has 1-2 traits or qualities that can be readily described
Easily defined in a single sentence because we know little about the character
Sometimes stereotyped
Most minor characters are flat

16. Example?

17. Dynamic Undergoes an important change in personality in the story
Comes to some sort of realization that permanently changes the character
A change occurs within the character because of the events of the story
The protagonist is usually dynamic, but not always

18. Example?

19. static Remains the same throughout the story
Although something may happen to the character, it does not cause the character to change
Minor characters are usually static

20. Example?

21. Point of view
1st person: "I" or "we" serves as the narrator of a piece of fiction.
2nd person: the narrator tells the story to another character using "you"; the story is being told through the addressee's point of view.
3rd person: narrator relates all action from an “outside” perspective, using third person pronouns such as "he" or "she.“
Limited: the narrator knows only the thoughts and feelings of a single character, while other characters are presented only externally
Omniscient: the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all of the characters in the story; completely removed

22. Works cited
"Characterization." Kim's Korner for Teacher Talk. Web. 06 May < gliterature/literary_elements_devices/characteriz ation.htm>.