In a few words, define characterization?
"Understand characterization as the way that an author presents a character and reveals character traits. "
Learning objective:
Characterization is the process of creating and describing a character in a story or novel. Characterization includes physical descriptions, motivations, thoughts, and behaviors of a character. Characterization helps readers understand a character and how they contribute to the story.
Characterization: What Does It Mean?
Characterization is the process of revealing a character’s personality traits, motivations, and behavior through action, dialogue, and description in a story. Direct Characterization is when the narrator or author directly states the personality traits of a character. Indirect Characterization is when the narrator or author reveals the character’s personality by showing the character’s thoughts, actions, and dialogue.
Concepts:
Dynamic characters are characters that change throughout a story. Static characters are characters that stay the same throughout a story.
Concepts
Work together in pairs: Which of the following is NOT a way to reveal a character's traits in a story
- Through what the character says to other characters.
- Through what the author says about the character.
- Through the story's setting
- Through the character's actions and behaviors
Work together in pairs: What is an example of a dynamic character in The Run?
What are two types of characterization?
- Direct and indirect
- First person and third person
- Internal and external
Which type of characterization is when the author tells us directly what the character is like?
- Direct
- Indirect
- Omniscient
Which type of characterization is when we learn about characters through their actions, thoughts, feelings, or words?
Determine a personality trait after reading: "After he arrived 25 minutes late for the date, he proceeded to honk the horn from his car, forcing me to scamper across the ice-covered steps in my stilettos."
Determine a personality trait after reading: "She twisted her fingers in her hands and bit her lip. Her leg jiggled quickly, and her eyes darted from side to side."
Determine a personality trait after reading: "Brad spends two to four hours a day getting himself ready. This regimen includes an extensive time period during which Brad lovingly admires his appearance in the mirror."