Diving into Characterization How Writers Bring Characters to Life

1. Diving into Characterization: How Writers Bring Characters
to Life

2. What is Characterization?
● Characterization is the process writers use to reveal a
character's personality
● It helps readers understand who characters are beyond just
their appearance
● There are two main types of characterization:
● • Direct Characterization
● • Indirect Characterization

3. Direct Characterization: The Straightforward Approach
● The author tells you directly about a character's personality
● Uses clear, explicit descriptions
● Example: "Sarah was a kind and patient girl."
● Think of it like a character's resume - straight to the point!
● Reflection Question: Can you think of a direct characterization
from a book you've read?

4. Indirect Characterization: STEAL Technique
● Uses the STEAL method to reveal character traits:
● • Speech: What does the character say?
● • Thoughts: What are the character's inner feelings?
● • Effect on Others: How do other characters react?
● • Actions: What does the character do?
● • Looks: How does the character appear?

5. Speech: Revealing Personality Through Words
● How a character speaks tells us a lot about them
● Consider:
● • Word choice
● • Tone of voice
● • Dialect or accent
● Example: A character who uses sarcastic comments might be
witty or defensive
● Challenge: Can you identify a character's personality just by
how they speak?

6. Thoughts: The Inner World of Characters
● Reveals a character's private emotions and motivations
● Shows what they're really thinking, not just what they say
● Often revealed through:
● • Internal monologue
● • Stream of consciousness
● • Narrated inner thoughts

7. Effect on Others: Character Interactions
● How do other characters respond to this person?
● Look for:
● • Emotional reactions
● • Changes in behavior
● • Relationships and interactions
● Sometimes how others see a character is more revealing than
how they see themselves

8. Actions: Speak Louder Than Words
● What a character does reveals their true nature
● Consider:
● • Choices they make
● • How they handle challenges
● • Consistent or inconsistent behavior
● Remember: Actions often reveal more than words!
● Reflection: Think about a character whose actions surprised you

9. Looks: More Than Just Appearance
● Beyond physical description
● Clothing choices
● Body language
● How they present themselves
● Can reveal:
● • Personality
● • Social status
● • Emotional state

10. Putting It All Together
● Characterization is a complex art
● Writers use multiple techniques to create depth
● Practice identifying these techniques when reading
● Ask yourself: What makes this character feel real?
● Final Challenge: Pick a character from a recent book and
analyze their characterization using STEAL

11. Characterization in Action
● Review key points:
● • Direct vs. Indirect Characterization
● • STEAL Technique
● • Multiple ways to reveal character
● Writing tip: Great characters feel like real people!