CharacterizationCharacterization

CharacterizationCharacterization is…

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

Analyzing Analyzing CharacterizationCharacterization

Making judgments (or evaluations)

about the character

• INFERENCES

Guesses made regarding a situation, using one’s understanding of context clues

• DIRECT – tells the personality of the character

Ex: “The patient boy and quiet girl both well-mannered and didn’t disobey their mother.”

• INDIRECT – shows things that reveal character’s personality

INDIRECT (continued)

S S peech (what character says)

T T houghts (what character thinks)

E E ffect on others (how interacts with others)

A A ctions (what character does)

L L ooks (how character looks / dresses)

CredibleCharacter is believable (could actually exist)

Not CredibleCharacter seems fake

Is the character believable?

Would you expect to run into him or her in everyday life?

YES! NOPE

= Credible = Not credible

Credible or not?

RoundedCharacter is complicated with multiple dimensions

FlatCharacter only has a single trait

Does the character have multiple personality traits?

Does he/she feel more than a single emotion?

YES! NOPE

= Rounded = Flat

Rounded or flat?

StockCharacter fits an exact stereotype; seems unoriginal

UniqueCharacter is unlike others

Is the character a stereotype?

Is the character just one of many like him/her?

YES! NOPE

= Stock = Unique

Stock or unique?

DynamicCharacter undergoes some change and/or gains a new understanding

StaticCharacter stays the same

Does the character grow or change in some way?

YES! NOPE

= Dynamic = Static

Static or dynamic?

Indirect Characterization

Example Meaning

S peech

T houghts

E ffects on others

A ctions

L ooks