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CharacterizationCreative Writing

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Learning objectives

You should now be able to plan and write a short story. In this presentation you will learn about characterization. You will learn:

How to use description to develop your characters

How to use dialogue to develop your characters

How to use action to develop your characters

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Characterization

Every day we engage with a whole host of fictional characters. We meet them in books, in films, on TV: in comic strips, on the radio, in advertisements. You probably have a few favourite characters of your own.

After you have discussed the questions, share your findings with the class – were there any

things you all agreed about?

Get into pairs and discuss the following questions:

• What makes a good character?

• How can you make your characters believable?

• What techniques can you use?

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Useful techniques

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Case study: Scrooge

Lei wants to know how she can make her characters more vivid and believable. Reading the work of other writers will help her pick up tips.

She could try Charlotte Brontë, Jacqueline Wilson, Philip Pullman or Zadie Smith, who have all created strong and memorable characters.

But Charles Dickens (1812–1870) is renowned as a great master of characterization.

You can probably name quite a few of his characters, even if you’ve never read any of his books. One of his most memorable creations is Scrooge, from A Christmas Carol.

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Describing Scrooge

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Scrooge’s dialogue