1. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Character Terms

2. Protagonist vs. Antagonist
Protagonist – Main character or central figure
Antagonist—A character who is against the main character.

3. Major vs. Minor
Major (plays a large role)
Minor (plays a small role)

4. Dynamic – character experiences a significant change
Dynamic vs. Static
Dynamic – character experiences a significant change
Static –
basically stays the same

5. Round vs. Flat Round – a complex character with many layers
Flat – simple, undeveloped, “stereotypical”

6. Foil
A foil is a character that CONTRASTS with another character.

7. How do we learn about characters?
DIRECT Characterization - The author TELLS us about the character’s personality, background, or motivation.
“Spoon feeding”

8. How else do we learn about characters?
Indirect Characterization - The writer SHOWS us about a character by:
What she says
What she looks like
What she thinks or believes
What she does
What others think or say about her
The reader must draw their own conclusions about the character.