CharacterizationCharacterization

Direct characterizationDirect characterization

The author directly states what the The author directly states what the character’s personality is like.character’s personality is like.

Example: cruel, kindExample: cruel, kind

Indirect characterizationIndirect characterization

Showing a character’s personality Showing a character’s personality through his/herthrough his/her

What the character says, thinks, and What the character says, thinks, and doesdoes

How the character reacts to other How the character reacts to other characterscharacters

How other characters react to the How other characters react to the charactercharacter

What other characters say about the What other characters say about the charactercharacter

What the characters looks likeWhat the characters looks likeThe setting in which the character is The setting in which the character is

foundfound

What is Character What is Character Development?Development?

A technique used by writers to…A technique used by writers to…

- Add details to reveal more about a Add details to reveal more about a character as the story progresses, in character as the story progresses, in terms of their…terms of their…

- Physical Appearance- Physical Appearance - Speech- Speech

- Residence- Residence - Fears- Fears

- Background Information- Background Information - Desires- Desires

- Personality- Personality

These details are developed through…

DialogueDescription of actionsNarration of thoughtsFlashbacksForeshadowing

What is Character What is Character Development?Development?

Character development is also used Character development is also used to…to…

Show any changes a character may Show any changes a character may undergo during the storyundergo during the story

Character TypesCharacter TypesThere are There are sixsix main classifications of main classifications of characters;characters;

1.1. Round: Round: These characters are as complex These characters are as complex as real people. Their motivations are as real people. Their motivations are complicated and the more important the complicated and the more important the characters are, the more the reader knows characters are, the more the reader knows about them. about them. (some development needed)(some development needed)

Character Types

2.2. Flat Flat: A character who is written : A character who is written into the story for plot reasons—a flat into the story for plot reasons—a flat character will move the story character will move the story forward, but the reader will not know forward, but the reader will not know many details about them or their many details about them or their thoughts.thoughts.

Character Types

3. Static Characters: These are characters who remain essentially the same from the beginning to the end of a story.

Character TypesCharacter Types

4.4. Stock(stereotyped): Stock(stereotyped): a familiar figure a familiar figure with certain characteristics that are fixed, with certain characteristics that are fixed, predictable, and unrealistic predictable, and unrealistic (minimal (minimal development needed)development needed)

Ex. Damsel in distress, mad scientist, evil step-mother, Ex. Damsel in distress, mad scientist, evil step-mother, loyal servant, the evil gangster, the humble heroloyal servant, the evil gangster, the humble hero

Character TypesCharacter Types5.5. Dynamic : Dynamic : often the protagonist – often the protagonist –

go through a significant change go through a significant change (emotional, spiritual, intellectual) in (emotional, spiritual, intellectual) in the course of the narrative. The the course of the narrative. The change must be plausible.change must be plausible.

- Change is not always good / - Change is not always good / positivepositive(significant development needed)(significant development needed)

Character Types

6. Plausible Characters: These are believable characters for the reader. Characters cannot behave one way on one occasion and in a different manner on another occasion unless there are reasons for characters to do so.

Protagonist/antagonist

Protagonist: the main character the story is about; the climax happens to them.

Antagonist: the character (or obstacle) that is against the main character.

Character TypesCharacter Types

AntagonistAntagonist Static CharacterStatic CharacterConfidanteConfidante SympatheticSympatheticDeveloping characterDeveloping character UnsympatheticUnsympatheticFlat characterFlat characterFoilFoilNarratorNarratorProtagonistProtagonistRound CharacterRound Character