CHARACTERIZATION IN

ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Brought to you by : Hett, Shoaib,
Hanshikka, Tinashe and Imran.
INTRODUCTION

Characterization is the
process of creating and
developing a character in a
story. It allows readers to get
to know the character's
personality, motivations, and
background. By
understanding
characterization, readers can
better engage with the story
and empathize with the
characters.
TYPES OF CHARACTERIZATION

There are two types of

characterization: direct and
indirect. Direct characterization
describes the character's traits
through explicit statements.
Indirect characterization reveals
the character's traits through
their actions, thoughts, and
interactions with others.
 ANEXAMPLE OF DIRECT
CHARACTERIZATION

◾“Bill was short and fat, and his bald spot was widening with every passing year.”
◾“‘Jane is a cruel person,’ she said.’”
◾“I looked in the mirror and saw how dark the circles under my green eyes had
become.”
 ANEXAMPLE OF INDIRECT
CHARACTERIZATION

Cathy was chewing a piece of meat, chewing with her front teeth. Samuel had never
seen anyone chew that way before. And when she had swallowed, her little tongue
flicked around her lips. Samuel’s mind repeated, “Something—something—can’t find
what it is. Something wrong,” and the silence hung on the table.
(East of Eden by John Steinbeck)
NOTE: In John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, Cathy is a truly evil character. Steinbeck says
this directly many times over and in many different ways. However, in this example of
characterization, Steinbeck instead opts for a more chilling image. Cathy seems to eat
meat much as a snake would. The indirect characterization forces the reader to
understand this passage as an allusion to the serpent in the Garden of Eden, thereby
inferring Cathy’s deep-rooted sinfulness.
The acronym STEAL can
help you to effectively make
a character.
USING CHARACTERIZATION

Characterization can make

a story more engaging and
memorable for readers. It
can also help to convey
themes and messages within
the story. By using a
combination of direct and
indirect characterization,
writers can create well-
rounded and relatable
characters that readers will
care about.
 CHARACTER ARCS

Character arcs are the

transformational journey a
character goes through during
a story. The arc can be
positive or negative, and it
involves a change in the
character's beliefs and
behaviors. A successful
character arc should be
believable and emotionally
satisfying for the audience.
 THE IMPORTANCE OF
CHARACTER ARCS

A well-crafted character arc

can engage the audience
emotionally and make the
story more memorable. It can
also add depth to the
character and make them
more relatable. A character
arc can also serve as a
metaphor for personal
growth and inspire the
audience to make positive
changes in their own lives.
 TIPS FOR CREAFTING
EFFECTIVE CHARACTERS

To craft an effective character

arc, start by identifying the
characters’ flaws and values. Then,
create a plot that challenges these
values and forces the character to
confront their flaws. The character
should experience setbacks and
obstacles along the way, but
ultimately learn from their mistakes.
The transformation should be
gradual and believable, and should
ultimately lead to a satisfying
conclusion.
 CONCLUSIO
N
Characterization is an essential aspect of
storytelling. It allows readers to connect with the
characters and become invested in the story. By
understanding the different types of
characterization and how to use them effectively,
writers can create compelling and memorable
characters that will stay with readers long after
the story is over.

SomeoneFamous
~ hett
THANKS
!
Do you have any
questions?