Characterization
What is Characterization?
Characterization is the how a writer reveals the personality of his characters.
Types of Characterization
Characterization is revealed through direct characterization and indirect characterization.
Direct Characterization happens when the writer flat out tells you some fact about a character:
The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.
The lady at the hotel is sweet and helpful.
My mother loves me more than anything.
Indirect Characterization reveals the personality of a character without the AUTHOR simply telling you. Five methods of indirect characterization:
A Character's Speech
Johnny said, "I want to read this new book so badly."
A Character's Thoughts
After the game, Linda thought about the three-pointer she missed at the buzzer.
How others react to a character
When the crazy woman at the checkout counter started screaming at the worker, the people behind her
began to roll their eyes and look away.
A Character's Actions
Steven found an iPod on the ground. He took it straight to the lost and found.
A Character's looks
The man wearing camouflage had a scar above his eye and a tattoo that said "14th Paratroopers."
Direct Characterization happens when the writer flat out tells you some fact about a character:
The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.
The lady at the hotel is sweet and helpful.
My mother loves me more than anything.
Indirect Characterization reveals the personality of a character without the AUTHOR simply telling you. Five methods of indirect characterization:
A Character's Speech
Johnny said, "I want to read this new book so badly."
A Character's Thoughts
After the game, Linda thought about the three-pointer she missed at the buzzer.
How others react to a character
When the crazy woman at the checkout counter started screaming at the worker, the people behind her
began to roll their eyes and look away.
A Character's Actions
Steven found an iPod on the ground. He took it straight to the lost and found.
A Character's looks
The man wearing camouflage had a scar above his eye and a tattoo that said "14th Paratroopers."
Round and Flat Characters
No, this isn't talking about whether a character is in shape or out of shape!
A round character is:
Most MAJOR characters in books are round, like Woody from Toy Story.
A Flat character is:
Most MINOR characters are flat, like Rex from Toy Story.
A round character is:
- Well-developed
- Has many traits, both good and bad
- Not easily predictable because he/she is not one-dimensional
- Realistic and lifelike
Most MAJOR characters in books are round, like Woody from Toy Story.
A Flat character is:
- Not well-developed
- Does not have many traits
- Easily defined in a single sentence because we know little about him/her
- Sometimes stereotyped (the crooked cop or the sweet old lady)
Most MINOR characters are flat, like Rex from Toy Story.
Static and Dynamic Characters
Static characters:
Most MINOR characters are static. Some major characters are static, too, like Lord Voldemort (the ANTAGONIST)--he's evil in the beginning and evil at the end.
Dynamic characters:
Many MAJOR characters are dynamic, especially the protagonist (Harry Potter). Harry changes throughout the movies/books, but so does Neville Longbottom, who was cowardly and awkward at first, but courageous in the end.
- Stay the same--like static on your TV
- May have something bad or good happen to them, but that doesn't cause them to change
- Only one motivation
Most MINOR characters are static. Some major characters are static, too, like Lord Voldemort (the ANTAGONIST)--he's evil in the beginning and evil at the end.
Dynamic characters:
- Go through a change in personality in the story
- Usually realize something that permanently changes them
- Change or make a realization as a result of the events of the story
- Two or more (sometimes conflicting) motivations
Many MAJOR characters are dynamic, especially the protagonist (Harry Potter). Harry changes throughout the movies/books, but so does Neville Longbottom, who was cowardly and awkward at first, but courageous in the end.
Dynamic Character Development Activity
Questions for "Thank You, Ma'am":
- Is the old lady static or dynamic? Support with one specific example.
- Is the young boy static or dynamic? Support with one specific example.
- What are the young boy's two conflicting motivations? In other words, when he gets to her house, what are the two things he's torn between doing?
- What is one theme of this story?
- How does the boy’s change influence our understanding of that theme?
- How does the plot (what happens in the story) help us figure out that theme?
thank_you,_maam.pdf |
thank_you_ma-character_map-roger.pdf |
Questions for "A Child Called It":
- How do you know Dave's father is a dynamic character?
- What are his dad's conflicting motivations?
- How do his dad's conflicting motivations affect his actions and speech toward his son?
- How does his dad's change or advance the story?
a_child_called_it_(2).docx |