Characterization the way an author reveals the special qualities and personalities of a character in a story making the character believable Analyzing Character Traits We try to figure out what a character in a book is like by paying attention to the clues the author gives us This ID: 353115
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Slide1
Direct and Indirect CharacterizationSlide2
Characterization
– the way an author reveals the special qualities and personalities of a character in a story, making the character believable. Slide3
Analyzing Character Traits
We 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
indirect characterization.
The process of figuring out what the author is trying to say is called
making inferences
.Slide4
Example:
Indirect Characterization What can you
infer about the speaker in this passage? What type of person is she?“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.”Slide5
Methods of Indirect Characterization
S
peechThoughts
E
motions / Feelings
A
ctions
L
ooks (appearance)Slide6
Speech
– 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.”
t
houghtful
compassionate appreciativeSlide7
Thoughts
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.”
l
oyal concerned playfulSlide8
Emotions / Feelings
When an author shares the character’s emotions, the readers can learn a lot about the character
After working on the project for two years, Sarah couldn’t believe she wasn’t chosen for a promotion. Every time she saw Rachel, she wanted to cry. This is because Rachel got the promotion she wanted.
angry jealous holds grudgesSlide9
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.squeamish sensitive nervousSlide10
Looks (Appearance)
The reader can infer 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.jovial proud dedicatedSlide11
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 pushy assertiveSlide12
Direct Characterization
The writer tells you exactly (directly) what the character is like.
Betsy was a determined three year old, who knew what she wanted and often got her way, if she cried loud enough.
Mr. McCarthy has an
obnoxiously loud
voice which he uses to
intimidate
his students
.
Did you eat your stupid chips for lunch today?Slide13
Quiz!!!!!!Slide14
1. Julie
held up six different outfits in front of the mirror and pondered which would go best with her navy blue shoes, pastel eye shadow and the diamond earrings she’d already procured from her overflowing vanity. After ninety minutes of mixing and matching, and cell-phoning her sister three times for advice, Julie finally made up her mind.A. Direct
B. Indirect Slide15
2. Julie
owned a multitude of outfits and accessories, and it always took her forever to decide which combination might impress Trent. As usual, she called her sister several times for advice. After doing so, Julie decided to give the navy blue skirt with the white sweater a try.A.
DirectB. Indirect Slide16
3. Mr
. Chong, whom I secretly nicknamed Old Chong, was very strange, always tapping his fingers to the silent music of an invisible orchestra. A. DirectB. Indirect Slide17
4. At
once, Laura's throat clamped tight like a hinged lid. It was as if she had eyes in the back of her head, so she clearly could see Dianne and Steve grinning at her, waiting for her to make a fool of herself, again.A. DirectB.
Indirect Slide18
5. "That
was a pretty good poem that you wrote for English class. Your stuff is so good. I wish I could write like you," Rachel said.A. Direct
B. IndirectSlide19
6. ______________
characterization is when the author does not come right out and explains the characters. Hints are dropped through their actions, interactions, and other aspects as well.7. _____________ characterization is when the author comes right out and explains the characters' traits without dropping hints. Ex:
Rosaleen was a colored woman who did not know how to read. Slide20
8. "Listen
to me," he said, his fingers squeezing into my arms. "We were arguing like you said. We didn't see you at first. Then we turned around and you were standing there holding the gun. You'd picked it up off the floor. Then it just went off." This indirect characterization of T. Ray describes his...A. Speech
B. ThoughtsC. Emotions/PersonalityD. Affect on others/RelationshipsE. Looks Slide21
9. Lily's
choice to lie to the Calendar Sisters about her whole life story is an example of indirect characterization. Which example of "STEAL" is this?A. SpeechB. Thoughts
C. Emotions/PersonalityD. Affect on OthersE. Looks Slide22
10. Relating to indirect characterization, what does STEAL stand for?A. Speech, Thoughts, Empathy, Attitude, LooksB.
Speech, Thoughts, Emotions, Affect on others, LooksC. Specialty, Toughness, Emotions, Attitude, LooksD. Strongness, Tenderness, Empathy, Affect on others, Laughter