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.”