Characterization- Both direct and indirect

1. CHARACTERS
&
&

2. INTROduction
Characters are essential to any story. Not all
characters are created equal, however. Stories
have different types of characters, and
characters have different levels of
development.
Insert your learning goal here

3. CHARACTER
types
types
There are several different types of
characters in a story. The two main types are
the protagonist and the antagonist.
PROTAGONIST ANTAGONIST
The protagonist is the main
character – often a hero. They
work towards a central goal.
The antagonist opposes the
protagonist. They work against
the protagonist.

4. CHARACTER
development
development
We can categorize the characters in a story as major characters or
minor characters.
MAJOR CHARACTERS
Major characters have a significant role in
the story. As a result, they are well-
developed characters or round
characters. Their good and bad qualities
make them multi-dimensional.
MINOR CHARACTERS
Minor characters play a smaller role in the
story. They are flat (having only one or two
qualities) and lack depth (not well
developed). They are either all good or all
bad.

5. CHARACTER
development
development
We can also categorize the characters in a story by whether they grow
and change throughout the story.
DYNAMIC CHARACTERS
Dynamic characters grow and change as
a result of what happens in the story. They
experience a change of attitude,
personality, purpose, or behavior as the
story progresses.
STATIC CHARACTERS
Static characters do not experience
growth throughout the story. Their
personality, motivation, behaviors, etc. do
not change.

6. CHARACTERIZATION
Characterization is how the author
reveals the personality of the
characters.
Indirect characterization is when the
author shows the audience the
personality of a character. We pick up
on their personality through STEAL.
Direct Characterization is when the
author tells the audience about the
character directly.
“She was moody and a bit feisty.”
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PEECH
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7. CHARACTERIZATION
What can we tell about Carmela
based on STEAL?
Is she developed directly or indirectly?
What about the narrator?
Carmela twisted a damp tissue
around and around in her lap. Every
now and then, she dabbed at her
nose.
“I can’t hardly stand to face the day
anymore,” she said. “I couldn’t even
go to work today.”
“How come?” Toby said.
I gave him a nudge with my knee. We
sat squeezed together between piles
of junk on Carmella’s couch.
How To Steal a Dog
by Barbara O’Connor

8. CHARACTERIZATION
What can we tell about the girl based
on STEAL?
Is she developed directly or indirectly?
The girl stood in the center of the aisle,
swaying with the movement of the bus.
She stared at them. “It’s not my fault
you don’t have good clothes,” she said
finally. She sat down and put her back
to them.
“Hey,” said Norton. “We’re sorry. We
didn’t mean nothing. Hey,” he said
again. “What’s your name?”
The girl turned and looked at them. She
had a sharp nose and a sharp chin and
black, black eyes.”
The Tiger Rising
by Kate DiCamillo

9. CHARACTERIZATION
Type Here