Characterization-a way of showing what a character is like

Notes

Two Types of Characterization

Direct Indirect

Two Types of Characterization

Direct• An author clearly tells

the reader about a character.

Indirect

Two Types of Characterization

Direct• An author clearly tells

the reader about a character.

• Uses imagery: description that appeals to the 5 senses

Indirect

Two Types of Characterization

Direct• An author clearly tells the

reader about a character.• Uses imagery: description

that appeals to the 5 senses

• Example: Mrs. Malecek stood in the

front of the room, her red hair blazing beneath the overhead lights.

Indirect

Two Types of Characterization

Direct (Tell)• An author clearly tells the

reader about a character.• Uses imagery: description

that appeals to the 5 senses

• Example: Mrs. Malecek stood in the

front of the room, her red hair blazing beneath the overhead lights.

Indirect (Show)• An author gives the

reader clues about what the character is

like

Two Types of Characterization

Direct• An author clearly tells the

reader about a character.• Uses imagery: description

that appeals to the 5 senses

• Example: Mrs. Malecek stood in the

front of the room, her red hair blazing beneath the overhead lights.

Indirect• An author gives the

reader clues about what the character is

like• Uses dialogue: words

the characters speak aloud

Two Types of Characterization

Direct• An author clearly tells the

reader about a character.• Uses imagery: description

that appeals to the 5 senses

• Example: Mrs. Malecek stood in the

front of the room, her red hair blazing beneath the overhead lights.

Indirect• An author gives the reader

clues about what the character is like

• Uses dialogue: words the characters speak aloud

• Uses dialect: a form of language spoken in a specific place or by a

specific group of people (accent)

Two Types of Characterization

Direct• An author clearly tells the

reader about a character.• Uses imagery: description

that appeals to the 5 senses

• Example: Mrs. Malecek stood in the

front of the room, her red hair blazing beneath the overhead lights.

Indirect• An author gives the reader clues about what the character

is like• Uses dialogue: words the

characters speak aloud• Uses dialect: a form of

language spoken in a specific place or by a specific group of

people (accent) • Shown by what the characters’

speech, actions, thoughts, motivations, and reactions

Two Types of Characterization

Direct• An author clearly tells the

reader about a character.• Uses imagery: description

that appeals to the 5 senses

• Example: Mrs. Malecek stood in the

front of the room, her red hair blazing beneath the overhead lights.

Indirect• An author gives the reader clues

about what the character is like• Uses dialogue: words the characters

speak aloud• Uses dialect: a form of language

spoken in a specific place or by a specific group of people (accent)

• Shown by what the characters’ speech, actions, thoughts, motivations, and reactions• Example

Avonnia whispered to Kelley, “It looks like Mrs. Malecek’s hair is on fire under

these lights!”

Direct or Indirect?

Direct or Indirect?

• He was a tall man, standing over 6 feet.

Direct or Indirect?

• He was a tall man, standing over 6 feet.

• DIRECT

Direct or Indirect?

• Sally brushed her hair in front of the mirror, stopping every now and then to admire it. After half an hour, she put the brush down. She examined herself in the mirror, picked up the brush, and began grooming some more.

Direct or Indirect?

• Sally brushed her hair in front of the mirror, stopping every now and then to admire it. After half an hour, she put the brush down. She examined herself in the mirror, picked up the brush, and began grooming some more.

• INDIRECT: HOW?

Direct or Indirect?

• Sally brushed her hair in front of the mirror, stopping every now and then to admire it. After half an hour, she put the brush down. She examined herself in the mirror, picked up the brush, and began grooming some more.

• INDIRECT: ACTION

Direct or Indirect?

• He scowled at the boy. “Boy, what you mean a’comin’ in here and disturbin’ my peace?” he drawled.

Direct or Indirect?

• He scowled at the boy. “Boy, what you mean a’comin’ in here and disturbin’ my peace?” he drawled.

• INDIRECT: HOW?

Direct or Indirect?

• He scowled at the boy. “Boy, what you mean a’comin’ in here and disturbin’ my peace?” he drawled.

• INDIRECT: DIALOGUE AND DIALECT

Direct or Indirect?

• The boy was stubborn. If there was an award given for the most obstinate, pig-headed, stick-in-the-mud teenager, he would win, hands down.

Direct or Indirect?

• The boy was stubborn. If there was an award given for the most obstinate, pig-headed, stick-in-the-mud teenager, he would win, hands down.

• DIRECT

Assignment• You will be in groups of 3-4• Your group will travel to 5 different stations.• At each station, you will read a children’s picture book.• Use a t-chart to find at least 5 examples of both indirect

and direct characterization in each book.• Write the title of the book at the top of each chart.• Put the actual quote from the book.

The Fire CatDirect Indirect

“Rasdkl dslfa ldtlekjc a dl tke.” “Cdlekjs dlfk k asdkj el.”