1. Term: Characterization
The act of creating and developing a character in literature. There are two types of characterization that an author may use:
Indirect Characterization
Direct Characterization

2. Term: Indirect Characterization
The writer gives clues to a character by presenting the character’s actions, words, thoughts, and by showing how others react to the character.
Example: Homer Simpson
Actions:
Words:
Thoughts:
How others react to him:

3. Term: Direct Characterization
When the writer (speaking through a narrator) explains or describes a character in the story directly.
For example if during one episode of The Simpsons, the creators added a narrator who directly described Homer by saying: “Homer Simpson is a man who loves to eat doughnuts.” That would be an example of direct characterization.
Let’s work together to find additional examples

4. How does Maya Angelou characterize Annie Johnson?
Examples of Indirect Characterization
Actions:
Words:
Thoughts:
How others react to her:
Example of Direct Characterization
Find a passage where Angelou describes her directly:

5. Term: Flashback
A means by which authors present material that occurred earlier than the present tense of the narrative.
Authors may include this material in a character’s memories, dreams, or accounts of past events.