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Direct and Indirect Characterization
3,357
Characterization
Indirect Characterization:
The reader/audience is SHOWN things that reveal the personality of a character.
Speech
What does the character say?
How does the character speak to other characters?
Thoughts
Others
ACTIONS
Remember The Difference!
TELLING VS. SHOWING
Watch the clip from Finding Nemo. How does what Marlin SAYS to Nemo reflect his personality?
Based on this scene where Marlin is speaking to Nemo, what do we learn about Marlin’s personality just based on what he SAYS?
What is revealed through the character’s private
thoughts and feelings?
What do other characters say about that character?
How do other characters feel or behave
toward the character?
Watch the clip from Zombieland. What does Columbus's thoughts SHOW about his personality?
Direct VS. Indirect
Watch the clip from Brave. How does what Merida's mother and father SAY about her, SHOW Merida's personality?
What do we find out about the personality of Columbus through his thoughts, that we might not have know otherwise?
Indirect characterizations are like clues about the characters. There is no mystery with direct characterization because the author gives us the information we need to know!
What is revealed about Merida's personality during the discussion by her parents?
Watch this clip from Billy Madison and think about the ACTIONS of Billy and what this SHOWS about his personality.
Looks
What does the character do?
What does the character look like?
How does the character dress?
How does what the character wears
influence their personality?
How does the character behave?
Billy's ACTION was pretending to pee his pants when he saw his friend, Ernie, had peed his pants. What does this show about Billy’s personality?
There are 5 different types of indirect characterization:
1. Speech
2. Thoughts
3. Other Characters' Thoughts, Actions, Reactions
4. Actions
5. Looks
S T O A L
What does Buddy's appearance SHOW about his personality (other than he is an elf)?
Direct Characterization:
The reader/audience is TOLD the personality of a character.
Ex: Eddie was talkative and curious about what loins are and where they are located.
Explanation: The author is directly TELLING the audience the personality of Eddie - he is “talkative” and “curious.”
There are 2 types of
Direct vs. Indirect
Characterization
Characterization
- The process by which a writer reveals the personality (Character Traits) of a character
- In other words, the ways a writer brings a character to life
These are words we use to describe a person, such as: helpful, lonely, successful, tired, loyal, and happy.
Character traits are what gives someone a personality.
Character Traits = Personality