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Understanding Characterization: Direct vs. Indirect Approaches in Literature

This guide explores the fundamentals of characterization in writing, distinguishing between direct and indirect methods. Direct characterization occurs when an author explicitly describes a character (e.g., “Bob was OCD”). In contrast, indirect characterization requires readers to infer traits from a character’s actions, dialogue, and thoughts. Examples from popular culture, like Napoleon Dynamite, illustrate how dialogue reveals character dynamics. The guide also discusses character types, including protagonists, antagonists, round, flat, dynamic, and static characters, as well as the role of setting and motivation in character development.

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Understanding Characterization: Direct vs. Indirect Approaches in Literature

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  1. Characters Page 84

  2. Characterization • The way a writer reveals a character

  3. Direct Characterization • The author tells the reader • Ex. “Bob was ocd, obsessive compulsive.”

  4. Indirect Characterization The author lets the reader decide what a character is like. (Show me, Don’t Tell me!)

  5. Describe the Character’s appearance.

  6. Show the character in action

  7. Actions reveal character

  8. Allow the reader to hear the character speak. • Napoleon Dynamite: Stay home and eat all the freakin' chips, Kip. Kip: Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter. Napoleon Dynamite: Since when, Kip? You have the worst reflexes of all time. Kip: Try and hit me, Napoleon. Napoleon Dynamite: What? Kip: I said come down here and see what happens if you try and hit me.

  9. Reveal the character’s thoughts and feelings • Ashley did not like the looks of the squash pudding but she decided to eat it anyway.

  10. Setting • Setting reveals character. • Ex.: • Ms. Verge in classroom. • Ms. Verge at the park with her children. • Ms. Verge passed out in an alley.

  11. Motivation • The reasons (motives) for a character’s actions.

  12. Page 129 Mrs. Flowers • Taut-tightly stretched • Benign- kindly • Infuse-fill • Intolerant-unwilling to accept something • Illiteracy- inability to read or write.

  13. Protagonist • The main character

  14. Antagonist • The character who blocks the protagonist

  15. Man vs. Self

  16. Man vs. Man

  17. Round Character • A character who seems real because he or she has many different, fully developed traits

  18. Flat Character • A easily described, one-dimensional character.

  19. Dynamic Character • A character who grows, matures, or changes in the story.

  20. Static character • A character who is still the same at the end of story.

  21. Stereotype or Stock Character • A character who represents a fixed idea or a bias about a group of people; for example, a fast talking used-car salesman.

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