Day 3Day 3

CharacterizationCharacterization

CharacterCharacterCharacter: a person or Character: a person or

animal in a storyanimal in a story

CharacterizationCharacterization The methods The methods

used by the used by the author to create author to create or reveal the or reveal the characters in a characters in a story.story.

Can be Can be indirect indirect or or direct.direct.

Direct CharacterizationDirect Characterization• The method of The method of

character character development in which development in which

the author simply the author simply tells you what the tells you what the

character is like. For character is like. For example, “Miss Alice example, “Miss Alice was the nicest person was the nicest person you would ever want you would ever want

to meet,” is direct to meet,” is direct characterization. characterization.

Indirect Indirect CharacterizationCharacterization

This method of This method of characterization is most similar characterization is most similar to the way we learn about to the way we learn about people in real life. people in real life. Using indirect Using indirect characterization, the author characterization, the author presents the character’s presents the character’s personality through what the personality through what the character says and the character says and the characters actions. characters actions. You must then draw your own You must then draw your own conclusions about the character. conclusions about the character.

Example of Direct or Example of Direct or Indirect Indirect

Characterization?Characterization?• Read the following Read the following

example of example of characterization. Decide characterization. Decide whether it is an example whether it is an example

of direct or indirect of direct or indirect characterization.characterization.

• (A) James was one of (A) James was one of those people who was those people who was constantly angry. He constantly angry. He

looked for trouble looked for trouble wherever he went, and wherever he went, and

he usually found it.he usually found it.

Example of Direct or Example of Direct or Indirect Indirect

Characterization?Characterization?(B)(B) Stanley’s eyes Stanley’s eyes

blazed as he blazed as he surveyed the surveyed the room. The room. The corners of his corners of his mouth pointed mouth pointed in a decidedly in a decidedly southerly southerly direction. Carol direction. Carol moved aside as moved aside as he stalked past he stalked past her.her.

Description A is an example Description A is an example of direct characterization.of direct characterization.

The author comes right out and tells you that The author comes right out and tells you that James was always angry, and that he was James was always angry, and that he was

looking for a fight almost constantly.looking for a fight almost constantly.

Description B is an example of indirect characterization.

We can tell from his angry eyes, frowning mouth and the way he walked that he is angry.

Direct Characterization Example # 1Jane was a beautiful young girl. She had golden hair and blue eyes, which made her stand out from the rest.

Indirect Characterization Example # 1When Jane walked in the room, nobody could help but look at her stunning, gorgeous face. She commanded attention wherever she went due to her good looks.

• Which method is more Which method is more effective in developing the effective in developing the

character? Why do you character? Why do you think so? Give examples of think so? Give examples of

characterization in characterization in Wrinkle in Time.Wrinkle in Time.

Discussion Question-