CharacterizationCharacterizationWho is that guy?

1. Characterization1. CharacterizationMeaning – Characterization is the

way writers develop characters in a story

Two types –◦Direct Characterization◦Indirect Characterization

CharacterizationCharacterizationHow does detailed

characterization help make a story better?

It seems to me that detailed characterization helps to make a story better because…

2. Direct Characterization2. Direct CharacterizationMeaning – when the writer

directly tells the reader what a character is like

Example◦Sherlock Holmes is clever and

resourceful.◦Dracula is an evil vampire.

3. Indirect 3. Indirect CharacterizationCharacterizationMeaning – When the writer gives

the reader clues about the character by describing how the character acts and thinks.

The writer allows the reader to decide how to view the character.

Direct vs Indirect Direct vs Indirect CharacterizationCharacterizationWhy do you think it might be

harder to understand indirect characterization than direct characterization?

It seems to me that it might be harder to understand indirect characterization than direct characterization because…

Direct Characterization Direct Characterization ExampleExample

Billy Bob is one mean and nasty guy. Seriously, he will punch you if he sees you looking at him. He likes to fight and you don’t want to mess with him.

Notice – in the above example. The writer is TELLING you what Billy Bob is like. This is direct characterization.

Indirect Characterization Indirect Characterization ExampleExample

As he left school Billy Bob walked down the block aggressively shooting mean looks to anyone who glanced his way, daring anyone to meet his eyes. He even looked at passing cars with a nasty glance. As if he believed he could take on a two-ton vehicle and win. As he came to the crosswalk a puppy slowly passed in front of him. Billy Bob leaned down, as if to pet the animal, but as the dog lovingly curled up next to one of his legs he reared back and kicked the animal as hard as he could, sending it flying through the air whining. Billy Bob violently smirked and kept walking

Notice – in the above example. The writer is SHOWING you what Billy Bob is like. This is indirect characterization.

4. Protagonist4. ProtagonistMeaning – the main character

Example ◦Alice from Alice in Wonderland◦Tarzan from Tarzan◦Cinderalla from Cinderella

ProtagonistProtagonistWho is the protagonist of your

favorite book, movie, or story? My favorite protagonist is the character

______.

5. Antagonist5. AntagonistMeaning – the character that the

protagonist struggles against◦The “bad guy”

Example:◦Captain Hook from Peter Pan◦The Big Bad Wolf from The Three Little

Pigs

AntagonistAntagonistWho is an antagonist who you

greatly dislike? One antagonist who I greatly dislike is

______, because _________.

6. Subordinate Characters6. Subordinate CharactersMeaning – characters who do not

play major roles in a storyExample:

◦Extras in a movie◦The evil step-sisters from Cinderella

7. Motivations7. MotivationsMeaning – the reason why a

character does somethingExample

◦In Cinderella, the prince’s motivation for searching for the owner of the glass slipper is love.

8. Round Characters8. Round CharactersRound characters are well

developed characters. The author tells the reader a lot about the character.

Round CharacterRound CharacterIn your opinion is a round

character more likely to be a protagonist or a subordinate character?

In my opinion, a round character is more likely to be a ______________.

9. Flat Characters9. Flat Characters

Flat characters are not developed. Readers know very little about them. ◦Usually a minor character

Flat CharacterFlat CharacterIn your opinion is a flat character

more likely to be a protagonist or a subordinate character?

In my opinion, a flat character is more likely to be a ______________.

10. Dynamic10. DynamicDy-na-mic(adjective) – describing wordMeaning – changing; able to do

many thingsExample

◦Dynamic students are able to get good grades in many of their classes.

◦It is good for teachers to be dynamic, so that they can help their students with many subjects.

DynamicDynamicWhy do bosses like to have

dynamic workers? It seems to me that bosses like to have

dynamic workers because…

11. Dynamic Character11. Dynamic CharacterMeaning – a character who

changes during the course of story.

Often the change involves learning a major lesson

Example:◦Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas

Carol learns to be more generous.

12. Static12. StaticSta-tic(adjective) – describing wordMeaning – not changingExample

◦If employees do not work hard, they will remain static in their careers.

◦If you are getting bad grades and you do not turn in make-up work, your scores will remain static.

StaticStaticIf a student has bad grades, what

is one way to make sure that his scores do not remain static?

If a student has bad grades, one way for him to make sure that they do not remain static is to…

13. Static Character13. Static CharacterMeaning – A character who does

not change during the story

14. Dialogue14. DialogueMeaning – Conversations that

characters have among each other.

Usually indicated by quotation marks.