CHARACTERCHARACTERIZATIONIZATION

What Is What Is CharacterizatiCharacterizati

on?on? It’s quite simple, It’s quite simple, characterizationcharacterization is is how a character is described, how a character is described, depicted, and portrayed in literature.depicted, and portrayed in literature.

Often times a character goes through Often times a character goes through significant changes throughout the significant changes throughout the story.story.

Characterization also shows how a Characterization also shows how a character character DEVELOPSDEVELOPS throughout the throughout the story.story.

Ways that characterization is Ways that characterization is used:used:

Physical characteristics-Physical characteristics- what they look like what they look like (physical description)(physical description)

Ways that Ways that characterization is characterization is

used: (cont.)used: (cont.) Behavior/Actions:Behavior/Actions: readers readers

will learn a lot about will learn a lot about characters based on their characters based on their actions and how they actions and how they behave and react.behave and react.

Examples might include…Examples might include…

BRAVERY/COURAGEBRAVERY/COURAGE

Sad/Depressed/LonelySad/Depressed/Lonely

LazyLazy

Evil/DangerousEvil/Dangerous

DeceitfulDeceitful

PeacefulPeaceful

Trustworthy/ Honest/LoyalTrustworthy/ Honest/Loyal

Finally, as readers we learn Finally, as readers we learn quite a bit about characters in quite a bit about characters in a story through their a story through their THOUGHTSTHOUGHTS..

Quick Review:Quick Review:

Ways characterization is used:Ways characterization is used:

Physical Description Physical Description

Action and BehaviorAction and Behavior

Character’s ThoughtsCharacter’s Thoughts

The next time you are The next time you are reading a story, make reading a story, make sure you pay very close sure you pay very close and careful attention to and careful attention to the way the characters the way the characters are being are being characterized!characterized!

The next time you are The next time you are writing a story, make writing a story, make sure you pay careful and sure you pay careful and close attention to how close attention to how you willyou will characterize characterize your characters.your characters.