Characterization

•Characterization is the process by which the author reveals the personality of a character.

Characterization

•Direct Characterization tells readers what the character’s personality is.

Characterization

•Indirect Characterization shows things that reveal the character’s personality.

Characterization

•Shannon was nervous.

•Direct

•Shannon’s hand quivered uncontrollably as she wrote down her first answer.

•Indirect

Direct or Indirect?

•Joshua strode down the hall, wearing his favorite blue blazer and a pair of pressed khaki pants, his notebook tucked under his arm.

•Indirect

•He is neat and prepared

Direct or Indirect?

•He turned to his friend and said, “I’ve been going over my notes for weeks. There’s no way I can lose this debate.”

•Indirect

•Confident, prepared

Direct or Indirect?

•Confident, Joshua delivered his side of the debate at the podium.

•Direct

•Confident

Direct or Indirect?

•Joshua thought it was ridiculous that he didn’t win the debate.

•Indirect

•Arrogant or frustrated

Direct or Indirect?

•His cheeks were flushed as he slumped down in his seat.

•Indirect

•Embarrassed

Characterization

•A dynamic character is a character that changes over the course of a story.

•Example: Teddy’s mother

Characterization

•A static character is a character that stays the same over the course of a story.

•Example:

•Nag & Nagaina

Characterization

•A round character is a fully developed character with many personality traits.

•Example: Rikki

Characterization

•A flat character has only one or two personality traits.

•Example: Darzee

•(p.16)

Characterization

• The protagonist is the main character

• The hero

• The character that the reader becomes emotionally involved with

•Example:

•Rikki-tikki-tavi

Characterization

• The antagonist is the character who goes up against the protagonist in the man versus man conflict

• The villain

•Example: The cobras

Characterization

• The foil is an action that frustrates another character and gets in their way

• The foil gets in the way of another character’s path to resolution or plan for success

•Example: Rikki-tikki-tavi foils

Nag’s plan to kill Teddy.

Characterization

• Dialogue – conversation between characters