Types of Charactersand

Characterization

The Elements of Fiction

Characters• The people, animals, or creatures that take

part in the action of a story.

• Examples: Jack Sparrow, Buzz Lightyear, Shrek, Harry Potter, Edward Cullen, etc.

Different Types of Characters!

• Not all characters are the same—we can categorize them into specific groups.

What do these characters have in common?

• Harry Potter• Lord Voldemort• Peter Pan• Indiana Jones• Batman• The Joker

Characters that play a major part in the action

of the story.

Major Characters

What do these characters have in common?

• Professor Trelawney• Snake from Jungle Book• Squirrel from Emperor’s

New Groove• Mice from Cinderella

Characters that only have a minor part in the action

of the story. Less important characters

Minor Characters

What do these characters have in common?

• Emperor Kuzco• Pinnocchio• Mowgli• Ariel

Characters that change significantly over the course

of the story.

Dynamic Characters

What do these characters have in common?

• Prince Eric• Hades• Hans Solo• Donkey (Shrek)• Mary Jane from

Spiderman

Characters that shows very little or no change over the

course of the story.

Static Characters

What do these characters have in common?

• Harry Potter• Batman• Simba• Mulan• Jack Sparrow• Bella Swan

The “good guy.” The hero. The characters in

the story that you are cheering for.

Protagonist

What do these characters have in common?

• Lord Voldemort• Evil Queen (Snow White)• Wicked Stepmother• Davy Jones• Izma (Emperor’s New Groove)

The “bad guy;” the main opposing

character or force working against the

Protagonist

Antagonist

Characterization

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

CharacterizationSome words that authors use to describe characters are:

bossy helpfulscared

brave honesthappy

careful kind neat

friendly proudmean

hard-working shy nice

funny wiseangry

Analyzing Character TraitsWe try to figure out what a character in a book is like by paying attention to the clues the author gives us. This is called “making inferences.”

Example: What can you infer?

“No, Honey, I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on my birthday present. Just having you for a husband is the only gift I need. In fact, I’ll just drive my old rusty bucket of bolts down to the mall and buy myself a little present. And if the poor old car doesn't break down, I’ll be back soon.”

Ways To Know A Character

• Appearance- how a characters looks and dresses

• Thoughts and conversations- what the character says, thinks, or feels and what others in the story say, think, or feel about the character

• Actions- what the character does and/or doesn’t do, what others in the story do to the character

Appearance

Readers can learn a lot about characters from the clothes they wear, their facial features, their body language, and their mannerisms.

Tex was the head rancher on the farm. When he rounds up the horses, he can be easily spotted with his beige hat and vest. Tex’s smile is a mile wild, even with his bushy mustache.

unsure proud dedicated

Appearance

Good characterization creates a clear picture in the reader’s mind.

Dressed in a colorful blue and yellow costume, the matador prepared his satin cape for the charging bull.

Dressed in a colorful blue and yellow costume, the matador prepared his satin cape for the charging bull.

Thoughts and feelings – When an author lets us get inside the mind of a character, we can often learn a great deal about him or her.

Butch looked around the neighborhood. “This would be a safe place to play catch with Bobby,” he thought. “Why doesn’t Bobby throw the ball?” He must be in a bad mood or something.”

loyal concernedplayful

Words – We often get to know characters because of what they say to each other.

Anita threw her arms around Tony and gave him a big hug. “Thank you so much for being there for me,” she said. “I don’t think I could have faced my parents without you.”

thoughtful compassionate appreciative

Actions – Much of what we learn about characters is revealed to us through what they do.

Denise picked up the slimy bull frog. She could hardly stand to hold it even for a moment. She held it out at arm’s length from her body and quickly carried it to her brother.

grossed out sensitive nervous

Other character’s comments or reactions – sometimes other characters will tell us something useful about the character we’re reading about.

“You wouldn’t believe what Lisa did yesterday,” Sara said to her sister. “When we went into the bridal shop, she pushed all the women aside and demanded that the sales lady help us immediately. It was really something!”

Demanding pushyassertive

Let’s Practice!

Practice Example:

Bob helped his mother in the store. He put boxes on the shelf. He didn’t drop any boxes. Mr. Kirk left some money at the store. Bob followed him outside to give him the money.

What words would you use to tell about Bob?

Practice Example:

Tippy had a bone. A bigger dog wanted it. Tippy was afraid. She stood over her bone and barked. The big dog ran away. Tippy was glad she hadn’t lost her bone.

What words would you use to tell about Tippy?

CharacterizationExample:

Amy keeps her library books together on a shelf. She puts away all her toys carefully and always makes her bed.

Amy is very…

upset neat weird

CharacterizationExample:

Amy keeps her library books together on a shelf. She puts away all her toys carefully and always makes her bed.

Amy is very…

upset neat weird

Characterization

Example:

Joe’s friend Tom laughed a lot. He always had a smile on his face. Tom was a ___________ person.

surprised naughty happy

Characterization

Example:

Joe’s friend Tom laughed a lot. He always had a smile on his face. Tom was a ___________ person.

surprised naughty happy

Characterization

Example:

Lisa’s little brother hid her skates under the bed. He hid her favorite book then ate the last piece of her favorite gum. He was being ________________.

calm naughty funny

Characterization

Example:

Lisa’s little brother hid her skates under the bed. He hid her favorite book then ate the last piece of her favorite gum. He was being ________________.

calm naughty funny

Characterization

Example:

When Erin needed help, Mother always knew what she needed and how to help. Erin’s mother was very ________________.

wise funny angry

Characterization

Example:

When Erin needed help, Mother always knew what she needed and how to help. Erin’s mother was very ________________.

wise funny angry

Characterization

Example:

David read all the books about the forest that he could find. He also talked with the forest rangers to learn more.

David was ____________________.

gentle curiouspopular

Characterization

Example:

David read all the books about the forest that he could find. He also talked with the forest rangers to learn more.

David was ____________________.

gentle curiouspopular