THE WRITER’S TOOLBOX: CHARACTERIZATION

Types of Characters

There are many ways readers can identify the characters that populate their stories. Protagonist vs. Antagonist Flat Character vs. Round Character Static Character vs. Dynamic Character Stock Character

Let’s talk about these in more detail…

Protagonist vs. Antagonist

The protagonist of a story is its main character. Most stories are told from the protagonist’s perspective.

The antagonist of a story is the character who works against the protagonist. The antagonist is not necessarily a bad guy, however!

Protagonist vs. Antagonist cont’d Let’s decide who are the protagonists and

antagonists in the following stories: Little Red Riding Hood Cinderella Jack and the Beanstalk Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Flat Character vs. Round Character

Flat characters are characters who are not very developed in the story. They have a tendency to fade into the background.

Round characters are very developed. They have

multiple character traits and the reader feels as if he or she knows the character pretty well.

Flat Character vs. Round Character Let’s decide who are the flat characters and the

round characters in the following stories: Little Red Riding Hood Cinderella Jack and the Beanstalk Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Static Character vs. Dynamic Character

Static characters stay the same throughout the story (think of how static on the radio always sounds the same).

Dynamic characters change and develop throughout the story.

Static Character vs. Dynamic Character

Let’s decide who are the static characters and the dynamic characters in the following stories: Little Red Riding Hood Cinderella Jack and the Beanstalk Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Stock Characters

Stock characters are characters that the author just “pulls off a shelf” and plugs into a ready made hole. (Think of it like having an item in stock at the store). They are very stereotypical.

This means that instead of taking time to develop

a character in detail, the author just inserts a “jock” or “bully” or “prep” or “crybaby,” assuming that readers will get what he means.

Stock Characters

What kind of stock characters did J.K. Rowling use in the Harry Potter series? Crabbe and Goyle Fleur Delacour Peter Pettigrew Oliver Wood Now that we know what types of characters there are,

let’s see how authors reveal traits about the characters…

The big, dumb bullies

The pretty, out-of-reach girl

The weakling, whiny bad guy

The team captain

What is Characterization?

Characterization is the way in which an author tells us about the characters he has created.

There are two types of characterization: Direct Characterization Indirect Characterization

What is Direct Characterization? Direct characterization is when the author blatantly

TELLS readers what a character is like. “Suzy was lazy” “Tyrone is extremely creative.”

Can you think of any examples?

What is Indirect Characterization? Indirect characterization is when an author gives the

reader CLUES as to what the characters are like. He doesn’t tell readers, he just gives HINTS.

After the author has given the reader hints about the character, the reader can come up with his own ADJECTIVES to describe the character.

An adjective is a word that describes, identifies or further defines a noun or a pronoun. There are thousands of adjectives available to describe how something feels, looks, sounds, tastes and acts.

Let’s Try One…

Michael sat alone in the corner of the crowded gym. His arms were wrapped protectively around his chest, and the bill of his hat tipped down over his eyes as he watched his classmates play together. ‘I wish I could play,’ he thought, but no one talked to him, and he talked to no one.

S. T. E. A. L.

Let’s Break It Down…

A whole paragraph can be a lot to examine at one time! Instead of looking at the whole thing, we can find adjectives to describe Michael based on specific things: Speech Thoughts Effect on Others Actions Looks

S.T.E.A.L.

By examining the speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions, and looks of a character, we can figure out what kinds of HINTS the author is giving us about a character.

Sometimes we don’t get all five types of description, but that’s okay! We can work with whatever the author gives us.

Speech – what the character says Pay attention to what the words and the tone of the

words are.

In the paragraph we read earlier, what did we notice about Michael’s speech?

What adjective would you use to describe someone who doesn’t talk?

Thoughts – what the character thinks Does this paragraph show us anything about

Michael’s thoughts?

What adjective would describe someone who thought like that?

Effect On Others

How the character interacts with other characters and how he/she effects their story.

What does this paragraph show us about the effect Michael has on others? (How do others seem to feel about him?)

What adjective would describe someone who others feel that way about?

Actions

What actions is Michael performing in this paragraph?

What adjective would describe someone who does those things?

Looks – physical appearance

Based on the previous paragraph, what do Michael’s looks tell us?

What adjective would describe someone who looks like that?

We Can Keep Track of Our Ideas Like This:

HINTS ADJECTIVES

Speech—Michael didn’t talk to anyone.

Quiet

Thoughts—

Effect on Others—

Actions—

Looks—

We Can Keep Track of Our Ideas Like This:

HINTS ADJECTIVES

Speech—Michael didn’t talk to anyone.

Quiet

Thoughts—He wanted someone to play with.

Lonely

Effect on Others—

Actions—

Looks—

We Can Keep Track of Our Ideas Like This:

HINTS ADJECTIVES

Speech—Michael didn’t talk to anyone.

Quiet

Thoughts—He wanted someone to play with.

Lonely

Effect on Others—No one noticed him.

Unpopular

Actions—

Looks—

We Can Keep Track of Our Ideas Like This:

HINTS ADJECTIVES

Speech—Michael didn’t talk to anyone.

Quiet

Thoughts—He wanted someone to play with.

Lonely

Effect on Others—No one noticed him.

Unpopular

Actions—Michael sat alone and watched.

Shy

Looks—

We Can Keep Track of Our Ideas Like This:

HINTS ADJECTIVES

Speech—Michael didn’t talk to anyone.

Quiet

Thoughts—He wanted someone to play with.

Lonely

Effect on Others—No one noticed him.

Unpopular

Actions—Michael sat alone and watched.

Shy

Looks— Michael’s arms were crossed over his chest & he hid his face under his hat.

Nervous

In Conclusion…

The author has many TYPES of characters at his disposal: protagonist, antagonist, flat, round, static, dynamic, and stock.

Authors can TELL us about characters with direct characterization.

Authors can let us STEAL a glimpse of characters by giving us hints about speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions, and looks with indirect characterization.

Let’s Practice! – Concerning Hobbits

“…In the days of their peace and prosperity they were a merry folk. They dressed in bright colors, being notably fond of yellow and green; but they seldom wore shoes…they had long and skillful fingers and could make many other useful and comely things. Their faces were as a rule good-natured rather than beautiful, broad, bright-eyed, red-cheeked, with mouths apt to laughter, and to eating and drinking…They were hospitable and delighted in parties and in presents, which they gave away freely and eagerly accepted.”

Concerning Hobbits Speech

HINTS Description

Speech—Although they don’t speak, hobbits are described as laughing often

They are a merry group, disposed to fun and avoid hardship.

Thoughts—

Effect on Others—

Actions—

Looks—

Concerning Hobbits

“…In the days of their peace and prosperity they were a merry folk. They dressed in bright colors, being notably fond of yellow and green; but they seldom wore shoes…they had long and skillful fingers and could make many other useful and comely things. Their faces were as a rule good-natured rather than beautiful, broad, bright-eyed, red-cheeked, with mouths apt to laughter, and to eating and drinking…They were hospitable and delighted in parties and in presents, which they gave away freely and eagerly accepted.”

Concerning Hobbits Thoughts HINTS Description

Speech—Although they don’t speak, hobbits are described as laughing often

They are a merry group, disposed to fun and avoid hardship.

Thoughts—unknown, but readers can infer hobbits are concerned with pleasantries

This adds more information to the picture of Hobbits as a delightful race.

Effect on Others—

Actions—

Looks—

Concerning Hobbits – Effect on Others “…In the days of their peace and prosperity they

were a merry folk. They dressed in bright colors, being notably fond of yellow and green; but they seldom wore shoes…they had long and skillful fingers and could make many other useful and comely things. Their faces were as a rule good-natured rather than beautiful, broad, bright-eyed, red-cheeked, with mouths apt to laughter, and to eating and drinking…They were hospitable and delighted in parties and in presents, which they gave away freely and eagerly accepted.”

HINTS Description

Speech—Although they don’t speak, hobbits are described as laughing often

They are a merry group, disposed to fun and avoid hardship.

Thoughts—unknown, but readers can infer hobbits are concerned with pleasantries

This adds more information to the picture of Hobbits as a delightful race.

Effect on Others—Unknown but you can make an inference based on the characters

The effect hobbits have is a positive one in line with their positive personalites

Actions—

Looks—

Concerning Hobbits – Actions

“…In the days of their peace and prosperity they were a merry folk. They dressed in bright colors, being notably fond of yellow and green; but they seldom wore shoes…they had long and skillful fingers and could make many other useful and comely things. Their faces were as a rule good-natured rather than beautiful, broad, bright-eyed, red-cheeked, with mouths apt to laughter, and to eating and drinking…They were hospitable and delighted in parties and in presents, which they gave away freely and eagerly accepted.”

Concerning Hobbits - Actions HINTS Description

Speech—Although they don’t speak, hobbits are described as laughing often

They are a merry group, disposed to fun and avoid hardship.

Thoughts—unknown, but readers can infer hobbits are concerned with pleasantries

This adds more information to the picture of Hobbits as a delightful race.

Effect on Others—Unclear. But! You can make an inference based on the description

The effect hobbits have is a positive one in line with their positive personalites

Actions—Hobbits Give Gifts and throw parties

Hobbits love merriment

Looks—

Concerning Hobbits – Looks

“…In the days of their peace and prosperity they were a merry folk. They dressed in bright colors, being notably fond of yellow and green; but they seldom wore shoes…they had long and skillful fingers and could make many other useful and comely things. Their faces were as a rule good-natured rather than beautiful, broad, bright-eyed, red-cheeked, with mouths apt to laughter, and to eating and drinking…They were hospitable and delighted in parties and in presents, which they gave away freely and eagerly accepted.”

HINTS Description / Synthesis

Speech—Although they don’t speak, hobbits are described as laughing often

They are a merry group, disposed to fun and avoid hardship.

Thoughts—unknown, but readers can infer hobbits are concerned with pleasantries

This adds more information to the picture of Hobbits as a delightful race.

Effect on Others—Unclear. But! You can make an inference based on the description

The effect hobbits have is a positive one in line with their positive personalities

Actions—Hobbits Give Gifts and throw parties

Hobbits love merriment

Looks— Bright faces and bright colors, handsome rather than beautiful

Hobbits are a down-to-earth race and Readers can see this in their appearance.

Did the movie get it right?