Short StoriesCharacters & Plot

CharacterizationThe way writers develop characters

in a storyTwo Types:

DirectIndirect

How does detailed characterization help make a story better?

Direct CharacterizationWriter directly tells the reader what the character is like.

Indirect CharacterizationWriter gives the reader clues about the character by describing how the character acts and thinks.

The writer allows the reader to decide how to view the character.

Direct vs. IndirectWhy do you think it might be harder to understand indirect characterization than direct characterization?

ProtagonistThe main character of a story

Example:CinderellaHarry PotterBella Swan

AntagonistThe character that the Protagonist

struggles against.The “Bad Guy”

Example:Captain Hook from “Peter Pan”The Big Bad Wolf from “The Three Little Pigs”

Round Characters Does not mean they are fat or round shaped!

They are well developed characters.

The author tells the reader a lot about the character

Flat CharactersNot shaped like a pancake!

Characters that are NOT developed.

Readers know very little about them

Dynamic CharactersA character who changes during the

course of the storyOften the change involves learning a

major lesson

Example:Scrooge in A Christmas Story learns to be more generous.

Static CharactersCharacters that DO NOT change throughout the story

DialogueConversations between characters in the story.

Punctuated with quotation marks.

PlotExposition- Introduction and reveals

the conflictRising Action- events leading up to

the climaxClimax- Most exciting and important

part of the story; the turning pointResolution- All loose ends are tied

up and the plot concludes

Plot Diagram

ConflictStruggle between two forces in a story

InternalExternal

Internal- A conflict within a characters mind; a tough decision

External- a conflict that is able to be seen; physical conflict