Transcript Do Now: What are their names? What do they do for work

Do Now: What are their names?
What do they do for work?
What are three words you would use to describe them?
Point to clues in the picture to support your answers.
Characterization
The method used by a writer to
develop a character
Direct Characterization
Telling
When the writer tells you directly what the
character is like
 Often characteristic of novels or stories written
a hundred years ago or more.
Ex: “Old Luther was the meanest old cuss in five
counties.”
“Little Posy was barely half the size of the other
orphans, but she had spirit.”
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Indirect Characterization
Showing
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Showing instead of telling
Reader must observe the character and come to
their own conclusion about the kind of person
that the character is .
How do writers show us?
Appearance

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Appearances can sometimes deceive, but they
are your first clue to character.
Does the grandfather in the story have laugh
lines around his eyes or a furrowed brow from
years of worrying?
Is the trial lawyer cool and collected in an
expensive suit, or is she a sweat-soaked,
wrinkled mess?
Action

A writer could just say, “The boy was happy.”
But if you see the boy in action, you’ll know
yourself.
Ex: Luis danced into the kitchen, singing along
with the song on the radio. He paused just
long enough to give his mother a loud kiss on
the cheek, then danced out the door.
Speech
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Listen to a character speak, and she will tell
you what she’s like – indirectly.
Ex: “I don’t have to do what you say!”
screamed Darlene as she kicked the new baby
sitter in the shins.
Thoughts and Feelings

In literature, you can actually read what people
are thinking and what they think shows who
they are.
Ex: Julie wanted to cry when she saw the stray
cat. Its rids were showing. She desperately
wanted to add it to her well-fed tribe of cats at
home.
Other character’s reactions
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What do other people in the story think of this
character?
What do they say about her?
How do they act toward him or her?
Just like in life though, you have to consider the
source. If a character has something insulting to say
about everyone in his school, his comments tell you
more about him than about the others.
Which is direct characterization?

Ed Johnson was confused
as the sales rep explained
Dralco’s newest engine
performance diagnostic
computer. The old
mechanic hated modern
electronics, preferring the
old days when all he
needed was a stack of
manuals and a good set
of tools.

“That Ed Johnson,” said
Anderson, watching the old
mechanic scratch his head in
confusion as the sales rep
explained Dralco’s newest
engine performance
diagnostic computer. “He
hasn’t got a clue about
modern electronics. Give him
a good set of tools and a
stack of yellowing manuals
with a carburetor needing
repair, and he’d be happy as a
hungry frog in a fly-field.”
Which one is indirect
characterization?
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Julie owned a multitude of outfits
and accessories, and it always
took her forever to decide which
combination might impress Trent.
As usual, she called her sister
several times for advice. After
doing so, Julie decided to give the
navy blue skirt with the white
sweater a try.

Julie held up six different outfits
in front of the mirror and
pondered which would go best
with her navy blue shoes, pastel
eye shadow and the diamond
earrings she’d already procured
from her overflowing vanity.
After ninety minutes of mixing
and matching, and cell-phoning
her sister three times for advice,
Julie finally made up her mind.
She’d give the navy blue skirt and
white sweater a try, hoping Trent
would love it.
Practice
Pick one possible character and write a few
sentences telling the reader his or her traits and
then compose a few sentence showing the
reader his or her trait.
 Ashley = depressed
 Mark = sarcastic
 Sue = hurt by a friend
 Philip = confident