Characterization
Characterization
Characterization
Characterization is the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.
Characterization is revealed through direct characterization and indirect characterization.
Direct Characterization tells the audience what the personality of the character is.
Example:
The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their
mother.
Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The
boy is patient and the girl is quiet.
Indirect Characterization shows things that reveal the personality of a character. There are five
different methods of indirect characterization:
Speech
Thoughts
Effect on others
toward the
character.
Actions
Looks
TIP #1:
TIP #2:
What does the character say? How does the character speak?
What is revealed through the characters private thoughts and feelings?
What is revealed through the characters effect on other people? How do
other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?
What does the character do? How does the character behave?
What does the character look like? How does the character dress?
Use the mnemonic device of STEAL to remember the five types of indirect characterization
Use indirect characterization to analyze visual media:
Film: Look at how the character dresses and moves. Note the facial expressions when the
director moves in for a close-up shot.
Drama: Pay attention to the way that the characters reveal their thoughts during a soliloquy.
Examples
Explanation
Speech
Thoughts
Effect on others
Actions
Looks
Speech
Thoughts
Effect on others
Actions
Looks
Examples
Explanation
Speech
Thoughts
Effect on others
Actions
Looks
Examples
Explanation
Speech
Thoughts
Effect on others
Actions
Looks
Examples
Explanation