1. Characterizations Notes
Indirect and Direct

2. Words to Learn Narrator: the voice telling the story to the reader
Narration: the words spoken by the narrator to the reader (not actually spoken aloud in the story to the characters)
Dialogue: spoken aloud in the story by characters to characters
Quotation Marks: indicate dialogue

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

4. Words to Learn
Character trait: is a type of characteristic. It’s a word that describes a character’s personality.
*Not to be confused with a physical trait which describes a person's physical features and physical abilities.
Characterization: a literary device that is used in literature to highlight and explain the details (character traits) of a character in a story
Direct Characterization: the narrator explicitly (directly) describes a character
Indirect Characterization: a character is described implicitly (indirectly)

5. Indirect Characterization (STEAL)

6. Example Characterization: Kyle is disrespectful.
Ms. Jones was teaching the students about characterizations. Kyle let out a loud, exaggerated yawn, making no effort to stifle it. “Indirect Characterizations are implied, not explicitly stated,” Ms. Jones continued.
Characterization: Kyle is disrespectful.
Explanation: The author showed us Kyle is disrespectful when he did not even try to quiet his yawn. The author used Kyle’s ACTIONS.

7. Example
After class, Tina 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 homework?” Tina huffed and rolled her eyes. Dana replied , “Uh, I don’t know where it is right now.”