Characterization

Bringing characters to life

 Objective:
 Students will be able to identify the two types
of characterization used in literature and
understand how they establish character
traits.
 Characterization
Definition: the process of conveying
information about characters in fiction
– their character traits.
What can readers learn through
characterization?

Age Gender

Appearance Education

Behavior Character Vocation

How are character traits presented?

Actions

Other
Dialogue
Characters
Character
Traits

Description Thoughts
 Two Types of Characterization
Direct Characterization
• the writer makes direct
statements about a
character’s personality and
tells what the character is
like.
• Think adjectives.
Descriptions
Indirect Characterization
• the writer reveals information
about a character and his/her
personality through that
character’s thoughts, words,
and actions, along with how
other characters respond to
that character, including what
they think and say about
him/her.
• Think verbs. Actions
 Examples of Characterization
Direct Characterization
• Gary is a nice and caring person.
• Gary can sometimes be very
mean or rude.
Showing
Indirect Characterization
• Gary watched his little brother for
two hours while their mother was
ill, taking care of his every need. He
did this without being asked and he
did not ask for anything in return.
• “The next thing I know, Gary was
tearing up my rose garden,” said
Beatrice his elderly grandmother as
she gave her statement to the
police. She was still badly shaken
after the attack.
Telling
 What kind of person is Liz?
My friend Liz is a true best friend. She always supports me
in everything I want to do. When I wanted to go up North,
she said she thought it would be a great experience and
that it would help me develop my sense of adventure.

Liz is not only a great supporter. She also trusts me to give

her my honest opinion and to say what I feel. When she
was upset with her sister one time, she asked what I
thought about it and I said she should wait and then she
would find out the real reason why her sister was mad at
her. And it happened that way. She knew she could trust
me.
 What kind of person is Liz?
My friend Liz is a true best friend. She always supports me
in everything I want to do. When I wanted to go up North,
she said she thought it would be a great experience and
that it would help me develop my sense of adventure.

Liz is not only a great supporter. She also trusts me to give

her my honest opinion and to say what I feel. When she
was upset with her sister one time, she asked what I
thought about it and I said she should wait and then she
would find out the real reason why her sister was mad at
her. And it happened that way. She knew she could trust
me.
 What kind of person is Liz?
My friend Liz is a true best friend. She always supports me
in everything I want to do. When I wanted to go up North,
she said she thought it would be a great experience and
that it would help me develop my sense of adventure.

Liz is not only a great supporter. She also trusts me to give

her my honest opinion and to say what I feel. When she
was upset with her sister one time, she asked what I
thought about it and I said she should wait and then she
would find out the real reason why her sister was mad at
her. And it happened that way. She knew she could trust
me.
 What kind of person is Liz?
My friend Liz is a true best friend. She always supports me
in everything I want to do. When I wanted to go up North,
she said she thought it would be a great experience and
that it would help me develop my sense of adventure.

Liz is not only a great supporter. She also trusts me to give

her my honest opinion and to say what I feel. When she
was upset with her sister one time, she asked what I
thought about it and I said she should wait and then she
would find out the real reason why her sister was mad at
her. And it happened that way. She knew she could trust
me.
 What kind of person is Liz?
My friend Liz is a true best friend. She always supports me
in everything I want to do. When I wanted to go up North,
she said she thought it would be a great experience and
that it would help me develop my sense of adventure.

Liz is not only a great supporter. She also trusts me to give

her my honest opinion and to say what I feel. When she
was upset with her sister one time, she asked what I
thought about it and I said she should wait and then she
would find out the real reason why her sister was mad at
her. And it happened that way. She knew she could trust
me.
 Your Turn!
Look at the text of “The Cask of Amontillado” for
charaterization.

Directions:
1. Using the graphic organizer, identify the character traits
of the two main characters.
2. Give examples/quotes from the story to support your
claims.
3. Identify the type of characterization as either direct or
indirect.