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Characterization: All About the People We Meet

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Wouldn’t life be easier if people just wore t-shirts

Getting to Know You

that told what they’re like?

great sense

of humor

snobby

You’d know right away that your soccer coach was

And your new neighbor?

Getting to Know You

looking for lovetough

but fair

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Sometimes characters in stories are easy to figure out because the writer tells you what they are like.

Show Me a Story

Writers who tell you what a character is like are using direct characterization.

Carmela was funny, honest and kind—a rare combination at her high school. She had a smile that made people trust her right away, and she rarely, if ever, let anyone down.

Most writers try to make their stories more like real life—they want you to get to know fictional characters by observing them.

Show Me a Story

Writers who show you what a character is like are using indirect characterization.

Before soccer practice started, Carmela found the new girl on the team and asked her to kick the ball around and get warmed up. Several other players saw them and asked to join in. Their coach smiled. Everyone seemed to work a little harder when Carmela was around.

Writers who use indirect characterization want you to decide for yourself what kinds of people their characters are.

Show Me a Story

Show Me a Story

Tony stared down at the slip of paper in his hand. Several times he picked up the phone, then set it down again. Finally he dialed the number, then waited while it rang and rang. He was clearing his throat just as someone picked up on the other end. “Is Kendra there?” Tony blurted without a hello.

Tony was a shy kid who had never even wanted to call a girl before he met Kendra. In situations that made him nervous—like calling someone he didn’t know well—Tony became impatient and could seem rude to others. He usually tried to avoid uncomfortable situations.

Which paragraph is an example of indirect characterization?

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Who Is This Character, Anyway?

So how does a writer show what a character is like?

action

speech

appearance

Who Is This Character, Anyway?

So how does a writer show what a character is like?

thoughts and feelings

other characters’

reactions

What can you guess about this character based on his appearance?

Who Is This Character, Anyway?

Appearance is often your first clue to character.

The new boy slouched against the lockers, his brown eyes blazing at Mr. Martinez. He was tall and thin, with neatly combed hair and the shadow of a mustache. His crisp white shirt was tucked into slacks that were just a little too short, showing black socks. Shoes were scuffed brown leather—but showed signs of a recent polishing.

What can you guess about “the new boy” based on his appearance?

Who Is This Character, Anyway?

Action is another clue to character.

Which of these words would you use to describe Luis as a character? (You may pick more than one.)

Luis danced into the kitchen, singing along with the song on the radio. He paused just long enough to give his mother a loud kiss on the cheek, then danced out the door.

shy depressed affectionate cheerful

Who Is This Character, Anyway?

Pay attention to how a character talks, and her speech will tell you what she’s like—indirectly.

Is Darlene. . .

“I don’t have to do what you say!” screamed Darlene as she kicked the new baby sitter in the shins.

timid? stubborn?

easy-going?aggressive?or or

Who Is This Character, Anyway?

In life, it’s usually hard to know for sure what’s going through someone else’s head.

In books, though, you often get to read what people are thinking and feeling.

When Kevin cut his hand in art class, it looked so gross. He shouldn’t have been playing around like that. For one thing, he ruined my appetite for a week!

The pups were cute, but I wished Kerri would get their muddy paws off me. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, so I just smiled and didn’t say anything. I guess I had always been more of a cat person.

Who Is This Character, Anyway?

Thoughts and feelings can show you exactly how a character reacts to certain types of situations.

How would Julie react if she saw other kids tormenting an animal?

Julie wanted to cry when she saw the stray cat. Its ribs were showing. She desperately wanted to add it to her well-fed tribe of cats at home.

Who Is This Character, Anyway?

Other characters’ reactions to a character can be helpful—as long as you evaluate the source.

If a character has something insulting to say about everyone, her comments probably tell you more about her than other characters.

Yeah... right.

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1. What can you say about Jackson as a character at this point in the story?

Let’s Try ItPractice

2. What details reveal aspects of Jackson’s personality?

Jackson spent the first day of summer vacation in his room reading comic books. His little brother stopped by his door several times and asked if he wanted to play a game or go to the park. Jackson knew he was disappointing Devon, but he said no anyway. “But Jackson, it’s the FIRST DAY of vacation,” Devon whined. “How can you sit in here and read?!!”“Listen, squirt, you don’t know the first thing about needing a vacation. You just finished third grade—big deal!” Jackson felt a twinge of guilt, but he didn’t take back his words.

3. How does Devon react to Jackson? What does his reaction say about their relationship?

Let’s Try ItPractice

4. What more do you know about Jackson?

Devon’s eyes showed his hurt. For a minute Jackson thought Devon might go crying to their mother. To be honest, Jackson wouldn’t blame him. But Devon didn’t tell on him. He just squared his shoulders, and his face grew hard in a way that made Jackson feel even worse. Devon closed Jackson’s door without a word. Then Jackson heard the front door slam.Jackson groaned. He rolled over and tossed his comic book on the floor. Next he grabbed his glove and a ball—before heading out the door to find his brother.

On Your Own

1. Write down the name of a character from a story you have recently read.

2. Choose two or three words that describe that character, and write those words under the name.

3. Draw a circle around each word. 4. Now, go back to the story, and find examples of how

the writer shows you these characteristics. 5. Jot down the examples, circle them, and draw lines

connecting them to the main circle.

Create a concept map showing a writer’s use of indirect characterization. Follow these steps.

Practice

On Your Own

Here is an example of a concept map showing a writer’s use of indirect characterization.

Practice

The End

Theme: Characterization